mineral

Tumbled milky quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs hardness 7, white to cream with translucent patches, vitreous to waxy luster, and no visible cleavage; it has a hexagonal crystal structure, though tumbling obscures crystal form. The rounded shape indicates natural abrasion or deliberate polishing.

Identified August 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal fluids, then survives weathering because of its durability. The specimen is likely from a relatively young alluvial or beach deposit; its precise geological age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, electronics, countertops, and as an inexpensive lapidary or collectible material. This small tumbled piece has modest decorative value.

Geological facts

Milky quartz appears cloudy because microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or mineral impurities scatter light. It is one of the most abundant minerals in continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its glassy translucence, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife (though quartz can scratch glass). Common in river gravels, beaches, veins, and granite-rich regions.