mineral

White Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to milky; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to milky
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified April 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to milky; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a 'river stone' or 'beach pebble,' meaning it was rounded by mechanical erosion in water over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, as aquarium gravel, in concrete aggregates, and as a source of silica for glassmaking. Smooth stones are often used for meditation or decoration.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky white quartz gets its color from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Look for the characteristic 'waxy' look and rounded edges in coastal or riverbed environments.