mineral

Rounded beach pebble, likely milky quartz

Quartz (SiO₂), probable; identification is uncertain from the image alone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, rounded, pale cream-to-yellow and slightly translucent, with a vitreous-to-waxy surface. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65; this pebble’s surface may be naturally water-worn or weathered.

Identified October 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz commonly crystallizes in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in hydrothermal veins; weathering releases durable grains that become rounded by stream or beach transport. Its age cannot be determined from the photo.

Uses & applications

Quartz is widely used in glassmaking, electronics, and abrasives; attractive pebbles are used for décor and collecting.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, so it often survives long after its host rock breaks down.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy translucence, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and absence of cleavage; the image does not establish composition conclusively. Rounded pebbles occur on beaches and in river gravels worldwide.