Ice is a naturally occurring crystalline solid of water that forms at temperatures below 0°C. It is typically found in glaciers and polar regions, often occurring as massive polycrystalline aggregates rather than distinct single crystals.

Hardness

1.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralcommon

Ice

Also: water ice, frozen water

Hardness: 1.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this ice?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch ice with a known reference. Ice sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ice leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Ice typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Ice vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Quartz

Mohs 7

How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 1.5).

How to tell apart: Calcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5).

Compare →

All properties

Chemical formula: H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1.5
Density: 0.92 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Imperfect
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Polar Ice Sheets, Glaciers, Permafrost
Typical price: n/a

Where rockhounds find ice

Classic worldwide localities

Antarctica
Greenland
Iceland
Canada
Norway

Field-hunting tip

Look in polar ice sheets, glaciers, permafrost country — that is the host setting where ice typically forms. If you start seeing air, impurities, sediment in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ice?+

Mohs hardness is 1.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, blue.

Where is ice found?+

Notable localities include Antarctica; Greenland; Iceland; Canada; Norway.

How much is ice worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of n/a. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like ice?+

Ice is most often confused with Quartz, Calcite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ice?+

Ice commonly co-occurs with air, impurities, sediment. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ice form in?+

Ice typically forms in polar ice sheets, glaciers, permafrost. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ice used for?+

Ice is used in collector.

Find ice on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.