mineral

Milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque white, rounded and water-worn, with a glassy-to-waxy surface; likely Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and irregular conchoidal fracture. The photo does not show crystal faces, so identification is provisional.

Identified October 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz formed when silica-rich fluids crystallized in veins or cavities, then weathering and transport rounded the fragment. Quartz is widespread in rocks of many ages; this pebble’s exact age cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, and construction aggregate; attractive pieces are collected or used in crafts, though this small rounded pebble has little gem value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and commonly survives weathering after softer surrounding rock breaks down.

Field identification & locations

A glass-scratching test can help confirm hardness, though avoid damaging a valued specimen; quartz lacks the repeated flat cleavage surfaces typical of some white minerals. Quartz pebbles are plausible in Northern Ireland’s varied glacial and coastal deposits, but the precise source is uncertain.