mineral

Dyed Crackle Quartz (Green)

Quenching-treated Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Vivid translucent green (artificial); Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Surface: Characterized by internal spider-web fractures.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Vivid translucent green (artificial)
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through a heat-treatment process where natural clear quartz is heated to high temperatures and then rapidly quenched in a cold liquid dye solution. The thermal shock creates internal fractures (crackle) which absorb the pigment.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in decorative arts, craft jewelry (beading), 'healing crystals' markets, and as low-cost collector specimens for beginners.

Geological facts

Natural quartz does not naturally occur with this uniform 'crackle' pattern; it is an entirely man-made aesthetic enhancement. The technique is often used to simulate more expensive stones like emerald or jade for costume jewelry.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by checking for pigment concentration within the internal fractures, which is a sign of dyeing. Natural quartz is found globally, but these 'crackle' variants are typically mass-produced in processing hubs like China or Brazil.

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