crystal fracture

A **crystal fracture** refers to the way a crystal breaks or cleaves when subjected to stress. Unlike cleavage, which occurs along specific planes of weakness in the crystal lattice, a fracture produces irregular or uneven breakage surfaces. This characteristic is important in mineralogy and materials science for identifying minerals and understanding their mechanical properties. Fractures can be described by terms such as conchoidal (shell-like curved surfaces), uneven, splintery, or fibrous, depending on the nature of the break.