igneous
Likely quartz-rich river pebble
Milky quartz or quartz-bearing granitic/gneissic fragment (SiO₂-dominant)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmall, rounded, pale gray-green to white pebble with dull-to-waxy luster and fine granular texture. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs; no obvious cleavage, but the specimen’s exact hardness and density cannot be confirmed visually.
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Physical properties
Small, rounded, pale gray-green to white pebble with dull-to-waxy luster and fine granular texture. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs; no obvious cleavage, but the specimen’s exact hardness and density cannot be confirmed visually.
Formation & geological history
Most likely weathered from quartz vein material, granite, or metamorphic rock and rounded by stream transport. Around 33.6°N, 80.1°W in South Carolina’s Coastal Plain, such pebbles commonly occur as transported material; a precise age is unavailable.
Uses & applications
Common specimens have little commercial value; quartz is important in glass, ceramics, electronics, and engineered stone. Attractive polished pieces may be used decoratively.
Geological facts
The greenish cast may reflect chlorite, epidote, weathering staining, or simply camera/flash color—not necessarily aventurine quartz.
Field identification & locations
Test with a steel knife or glass: genuine quartz should resist a knife and scratch ordinary glass. A streak test, stronger inspection of translucency, and a specific-gravity test would help distinguish quartz from softer pale rocks such as weathered feldspar or limestone.
