mineral

Small quartz pebble or chalcedony fragment

Silicon dioxide, SiO₂; likely microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale cream translucent body with a smooth, rounded surface and dull-to-waxy luster. Quartz hardness is Mohs 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity about 2.65; the apparent translucency and shape suggest it may be tumbled or naturally water-worn.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

Explore Small quartz pebble or chalcedony fragment 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

Likely formed from silica-rich veins or weathered siliceous rock, then rounded by transport; geological age cannot be determined from the photograph. Quartz and chalcedony are plausible around the Beaujolais/Lyonnais region, commonly occurring in veins and metamorphic or volcanic-associated rocks.

Uses & applications

Common specimens have little commercial value; quartz is used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and stonework, while attractive chalcedony can be polished for jewelry and collections.

Geological facts

The image does not show diagnostic crystal faces, banding, or color zoning, so exact identification is tentative. It could also be a small piece of cream-colored quartzite or calcite.

Field identification & locations

Test with a steel file: quartz/chalcedony should resist scratching, whereas calcite scratches easily; vinegar effervescence suggests calcite. A close-up against a scale and a scratch/acid test would improve confidence.