mineral

Quartz pebble, likely milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque to translucent gray-white, with a dull to vitreous luster and no visible cleavage; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a trigonal crystal structure. The rounded shape and surface wear suggest a water-worn pebble; the image alone cannot confirm its composition.

Identified October 3, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz pebble, likely milky quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in many igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal settings. This pebble was likely rounded by transport in a stream or along a shore; its geological age and original source cannot be determined from the photo.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glassmaking, construction aggregate, and electronics; attractive pieces may be polished or collected.

Geological facts

Quartz is abundant in Earth’s crust and resists weathering, so it commonly survives transport as rounded pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness near 7, lack of cleavage, and a glassy fracture; a steel knife generally will not scratch quartz. Similar-looking stones can include chalcedony or other pale minerals, so identification from appearance is tentative.