Fracture in minerals refers to the texture and shape of a rocks surface formed when a mineral is fractured). Fracture is different from cleavage in that the latter involves clean splitting along the cleavage planes of the minerals crystal structure, as opposed to more general breakage). All minerals exhibit fracture, but when very strong cleavage is present, it can be difficult to see).

There are five types of fractures recognized in mineralogy: conchoidal, earthy, hackly, splintery (or fibrous), and uneven fractures). Conchoidal fracture is a breakage that resembles the concentric ripples of a mussel shell and often occurs in amorphous or fine-grained mineraloids such as flint). Earthy fracture is reminiscent of freshly broken soil and is frequently seen in relatively soft, loosely bound minerals such as limonite, kaolinite, and aluminite). Hackly fracture (also known as jagged fracture) is jagged, sharp, and not even, and occurs when metals are torn, and so is often encountered in native metals such as copper and silver). Splintery fracture comprises sharp elongated points and is particularly seen in fibrous minerals such as chrysotile, but may also occur in non-fibrous minerals such as kyanite). Uneven fracture is a rough surface or one with random irregularities and occurs in a wide range of minerals including arsenopyrite, pyrite, and magnetite).

Although many minerals break in similar ways, some have a unique fracture, and this can be diagnostic. The most common fracture type is conchoidal, which is a smooth, curved surface resembling the concentric ripples of a mussel shell. Different minerals will break in different ways and leave a surface that can be described in a recognizable way.