mineral

Milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Likely massive milky quartz, white to pale gray with rusty staining and a vitreous-to-dull luster; hardness 7 Mohs, trigonal crystal system, no cleavage, and uneven fracture. The rounded shape suggests natural abrasion; identification from the photo is provisional.

Identified September 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes from silica-rich fluids in veins and also occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks. This pebble was likely weathered from quartz-bearing bedrock and rounded by stream or beach transport; its age cannot be determined from appearance.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, and decorative stone; this small specimen is mainly suitable for collecting or crafts.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it often accumulates in river and beach gravels.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness sufficient to scratch glass, no cleavage, and a white streak; quartz pebbles occur widely in gravel deposits worldwide. A photo alone cannot rule out other pale minerals.