mineral

Green sea glass or tumbled green quartz (uncertain)

Likely quartz (SiO₂) if natural; alternatively man-made soda-lime glass

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale translucent green, smoothly rounded, matte/frosted surface, and no visible crystal faces. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous luster, hexagonal structure, and no cleavage; glass is softer (~5–6) and amorphous.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

If quartz, it formed in silica-rich igneous, metamorphic, or hydrothermal settings over geological time; if sea glass, it is human-made glass weathered and abraded in water over years to decades.

Uses & applications

Quartz specimens may be used as collectors’ pieces, abrasives, and silica sources; green sea glass is used in jewelry and crafts. It has little value unless unusually rare or well preserved.

Geological facts

The uniformly frosted, rounded appearance strongly suggests sea glass rather than a natural mineral. A scratch test against ordinary steel or a glass surface can help distinguish them, though it may damage the specimen.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found on beaches, river shores, or gravel deposits; natural quartz typically shows crystalline faces or irregular fracture, while sea glass has uniformly softened edges and frosted faces. Estimated value: $1–$10 for common sea glass; $5–$30 if quartz, depending on quality.