What kind of rock is quartz before it is quartz? And if a quatz rock isn't cracked open, what would it look like on the outside?

Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Is is a very common mineral and is present in many rocks both in microcystalline form and in large crystals. It comes in several varieties as a crystal. It also forms inside geodes sometimes referred to as quartz geodes. These come in many different sizes as well. I think that is what you are referring to in your question... a quartz geode. Most of the ones that I have seen look kind of like small cannonballs... about the size of baseballs or softballs, but they can be quite large. Look geodes up on the internet and you should get a better idea of what they look like externally and internally.

An uncracked geode
http://www.geodegallery.com/keokuk/kgbig13.jpg