mineral

Likely milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; pale white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, massive rather than visibly crystalline, with no true cleavage and uneven fracture. The image is too blurred for reliable confirmation.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal fluids, and commonly survives weathering as rounded stream or beach pebbles. Individual grains may be Precambrian to modern; age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small, cloudy specimen has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or both. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant and chemically durable minerals.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage; white calcite is softer and fizzes in acid. Common worldwide, especially in veins, pegmatites, and alluvial gravels.