mineral

Milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to translucent, glassy-to-waxy luster with irregular fracture and no obvious cleavage; Mohs hardness 7, specific gravity about 2.65, trigonal crystal structure. The rounded shape suggests natural water wear or tumbling.

Identified August 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities cloud otherwise clear quartz, commonly in igneous and metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal veins. Quartz is widespread from Precambrian to modern geological settings.

Uses & applications

Used as a durable aggregate, glass and ceramic raw material, abrasives, and ornamental or lapidary material; attractive pieces are collected but usually have modest value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and can scratch ordinary steel or glass. A steel nail should not scratch it, while quartz can scratch a knife blade or window glass.

Field identification & locations

Common in streambeds, quartz veins, granitic terrains, and beaches; identify by hardness, pale color, and lack of cleavage. The image alone cannot exclude white calcite, which is softer and reacts with dilute acid.