mineral

Milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically hardness 7 Mohs, white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, and no cleavage; the rounded shape indicates natural water abrasion or tumbling. Yellow-brown patches may be iron-oxide staining or inclusions.

Identified August 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich fluids crystallize in igneous, metamorphic, or hydrothermal settings; milky opacity results from microscopic fluid inclusions and defects. Quartz is common in rocks of many ages, from Precambrian terrains to modern sediments.

Uses & applications

Used as an aggregate, glass and ceramic raw material, abrasives, and electronics-grade silica; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive decor or lapidary material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric. Milky quartz commonly occurs in veins and as resistant river or beach pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy translucence, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass; it commonly occurs in quartz veins, granite, and river gravels worldwide.