mineral
Rounded quartz pebble
Quartz, SiO₂ (likely milky quartz with iron staining)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque cream-to-tan, rounded surface with white quartz patches and rusty staining; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous luster when fresh, and no cleavage. The small, worn specimen does not show a distinct crystal shape.
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Physical properties
Opaque cream-to-tan, rounded surface with white quartz patches and rusty staining; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous luster when fresh, and no cleavage. The small, worn specimen does not show a distinct crystal shape.
Formation & geological history
Likely a quartz-rich fragment weathered from bedrock and rounded by stream or beach transport; quartz forms in many rock types and geological ages.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as a natural pebble or used decoratively; quartz is also important in glassmaking and electronics, though this specimen has little industrial value.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing it to persist in river and beach gravels.
Field identification & locations
Look for hardness near 7, lack of cleavage, and a pale, glassy fresh break; rounded shape suggests transport. Similar pebbles occur in gravels and along shorelines worldwide.
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