mineral

Likely quartz-rich pebble fragment

Quartz (SiO₂), possibly milky quartz or quartzite; the photo is insufficient to distinguish them confidently

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, pale gray-white, opaque to slightly translucent fragment with a dull-to-glassy surface. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a hexagonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65; quartzite is a hard, interlocking-grain rock.

Identified September 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in many igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary settings; quartzite forms when quartz sandstone is metamorphosed. The specimen’s age and formation setting cannot be determined from appearance alone.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glass, electronics, and abrasives; quartzite is used as building stone and aggregate. This small piece is mainly of modest collecting interest.

Geological facts

Quartz breaks with irregular or conchoidal fractures rather than splitting along flat cleavage planes.

Field identification & locations

A plausible identification is a quartz fragment, but its rough, pale appearance is not diagnostic. The reported area of eastern Morocco includes varied sedimentary and metamorphic geology; examine hardness and grain texture, or test for fizz with dilute acid to rule out carbonate rock.