mineral
Tumbled chalcedony or quartz pebble
Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂ (likely chalcedony; exact identification requires testing)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCream to honey-white, smoothly rounded and likely tumbled; waxy to dull luster, no visible cleavage, hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, and specific gravity near 2.6. The small size and surface texture suggest human polishing.
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Physical properties
Cream to honey-white, smoothly rounded and likely tumbled; waxy to dull luster, no visible cleavage, hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs, and specific gravity near 2.6. The small size and surface texture suggest human polishing.
Formation & geological history
Quartz-rich silica formed from low-temperature groundwater filling cavities or fractures, commonly in volcanic rocks; such deposits range from Paleozoic to recent in age. It was later shaped and polished mechanically.
Uses & applications
Used for inexpensive lapidary pieces, beads, cabochons, décor, and educational specimens; not typically valuable as jewelry-grade material.
Geological facts
Chalcedony is fibrous microcrystalline quartz, while translucent varieties include agate, jasper, and carnelian. The photograph alone cannot reliably distinguish chalcedony from ordinary quartz or a pale jasper.
Field identification & locations
Look for glass-scratching hardness, lack of cleavage, and a white streak; a steel file should not easily scratch it. Common sources include volcanic terrains worldwide and commercial tumbling operations.
