mineral

Polished milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to creamy translucent color, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and trigonal crystal structure. The smooth oval shape indicates natural water-wear or tumbling; cleavage is absent, with conchoidal fracture and specific gravity about 2.65.

Identified August 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal fluids, then survives weathering as durable pebbles. Individual quartz crystals may be Precambrian to recent, while this pebble’s exact age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, engineered stone, and decoration; polished pebbles are commonly sold for crafts, collecting, and jewelry.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is a major component of granite, sandstone, and many metamorphic rocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy/waxy surface, exceptional scratch resistance, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; it should scratch ordinary glass. Common in stream gravels, beaches, veins, and quartz-rich rocks worldwide.