conchoidal fracture
mineralogy
Quick Summary
In mineralogy, fracture describes how a mineral breaks when it does not split along cleavage planes. Conchoidal fracture is a specific type of fracture characterized by smooth, curved surfaces that resemble the inside of a seashell. This type of fracture is commonly observed in minerals like quartz and in materials such as glass, where bond strengths are roughly equal throughout the structure, leading to breakage in irregular directions. Other types of fracture include even, uneven, hackly, and splintery.12
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