A system and method for monitoring crack propagation of a transparent rock specimen monitors a breakage process of a specimen loading process. In the system and method for monitoring crack propagation of a transparent rock specimen, under the condition of no contact with a rock specimen, intensity changes of laser light passing through the transparent rock specimen in a loading state are determined, such that a computer (5) forms, according to laser intensity change data, a three-dimensional diagram of crack propagation of the transparent rock specimen (4) in a continuously loaded state at a plurality of set time points. This is used to analyze a breakage starting point and a crack propagation path and process of the transparent rock specimen (4) in the loading state, and achieve the purpose of qualitative analysis of the rock specimen.