mineral

Small quartz-rich pebble, possibly milky quartz

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Off-white, translucent-to-opaque fragment with a vitreous luster and irregular fracture; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, and a trigonal crystal structure. The image is too limited for confident identification of grain texture or specific variety.

Identified September 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a weathered fragment eroded from quartz-bearing igneous or metamorphic rock; quartz commonly formed in granites, pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks over a wide range of geologic ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, electronics, and construction aggregate; attractive transparent pieces may be collected or cut as gemstones.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to chemical weathering, allowing it to accumulate in streambeds and soils.

Field identification & locations

Testable with a steel file or knife: quartz should resist scratching, while it can scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide, especially in river gravels and quartz veins; this tiny fragment has little diagnostic or commercial value.