mineral

Likely quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), possibly milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to cream, opaque, with a dull-to-glassy luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded, worn shape suggests a natural or tumbled pebble.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous and hydrothermal fluids, then survives weathering and becomes rounded in streams or sediment. Quartz is common throughout Earth’s geological history, from Precambrian rocks to modern sediments.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used for decorative stone, landscaping, crafts, and teaching specimens; transparent varieties are used in jewelry and electronics. This small opaque piece has little commercial value.

Geological facts

Milky quartz contains microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities that scatter light and make it appear white. Its hardness allows it to scratch ordinary glass and steel.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its white color, hardness, lack of cleavage, and glassy fracture; a steel nail should not scratch it. Common worldwide in granite, pegmatite, quartz veins, river gravels, and beaches.