mineral

Tumbled quartz pebble (probable)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, rounded, cream-to-pale-yellow specimen with a dull to weakly waxy luster; likely Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The image is slightly blurred, so identification is provisional; it could also be a pale chert or calcite pebble.

Identified September 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary settings and commonly accumulates as durable stream or beach pebbles. Its original geological age cannot be determined from the photograph; rounding indicates transport or deliberate tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as décor or lapidary material. Ordinary pebbles have minimal commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing it to survive long after surrounding rock breaks down.

Field identification & locations

Check hardness: quartz scratches ordinary glass and is not scratched by a steel knife; calcite fails the glass test and fizzes in dilute hydrochloric acid. Common sources include river gravels, beaches, quartz veins, and commercial tumbler mixes.