mineral

Milky Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or magmatic processes. This specimen is a water-worn river or beach pebble, shaped by mechanical erosion over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as a decorative landscaping stone, in glass manufacturing, and as a collector's specimen for beginners. High-purity quartz is used in electronics and watches.

Geological facts

Milky quartz gets its cloudy appearance from tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth. It is the most common variety of crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its smooth, rounded surface indicating transport by water. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.