mineral

Small rounded quartz pebble

Quartz (SiO₂), likely milky or iron-stained quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to cream, translucent, and vitreous to dull luster. Quartz has a hexagonal crystal structure and no cleavage, but this pebble is naturally water-worn and may show surface pits or staining.

Identified August 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when silica-rich fluids crystallized in igneous or metamorphic veins, then released by weathering and rounded by stream or beach transport. Its precise age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected or used decoratively. This small specimen has minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

The image shows a very small, rounded, cream-colored pebble with possible brown inclusions or weathering spots. A steel knife should not scratch quartz, while quartz can scratch ordinary glass.

Field identification & locations

Common in stream gravels and beaches worldwide, especially near granite, quartz veins, and metamorphic rocks. Confirm with a scratch test, glassy fracture, and absence of cleavage; visual identification is not definitive.