mineral

Likely quartz-rich pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), possibly a quartzite fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small rounded gray-pink specimen with a dull to slightly glassy luster and granular texture; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture. Exact mineral identification is limited by the blurred image and lighting.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments; quartzite forms when quartz sandstone is recrystallized during metamorphism. Its age depends on the source rock and may range from ancient to recent gravel.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles have little commercial value; quartz is widely used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone. Attractive pieces may be used as decorative specimens.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to weathering, allowing it to accumulate in stream and glacial gravels.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, lack of cleavage, and a white streak; a steel nail should not scratch it. Common worldwide in riverbeds, soils, and gravel deposits.