mineral
Tumbled chalcedony (likely common quartz/jasper)
Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale gray-white, translucent, waxy to dull luster, rounded by tumbling, with faint reddish-brown iron-oxide staining or inclusions. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; no visible cleavage; cryptocrystalline structure; specific gravity ~2.6.
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Physical properties
Pale gray-white, translucent, waxy to dull luster, rounded by tumbling, with faint reddish-brown iron-oxide staining or inclusions. Hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; no visible cleavage; cryptocrystalline structure; specific gravity ~2.6.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities and fractures, later crystallizing as chalcedony or jasper. Such material is common in glacial deposits and volcanic-derived gravels around southwestern British Columbia, generally much older than the modern deposit.
Uses & applications
Used for lapidary work, beads, cabochons, carvings, and decorative stone; this small tumbled piece has modest commercial value.
Geological facts
Chalcedony is quartz whose crystals are too small to see individually. The slightly translucent appearance and waxy surface distinguish it from ordinary opaque granite or concrete.
Field identification & locations
The image supports chalcedony, but exact identification is uncertain because tumbling removes diagnostic surfaces. A steel file should barely scratch it; glass should be scratched by it. Common regional alternatives include milky quartz and pale jasper.
