mineral

Tumbled quartz-rich pebble (likely milky quartz or quartzite)

Quartz, SiO₂; possibly quartzite, a metamorphic quartz rock

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; pale gray-beige, translucent edges, vitreous to waxy luster, nonmetallic, with irregular conchoidal fractures and no obvious cleavage. The rounded shape indicates natural abrasion or tumbling, and surface coating or lighting may affect its color.

Identified August 16, 2026More mineral →

Explore Tumbled quartz-rich pebble (likely milky quartz or quartzite) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallized from silica-rich fluids or igneous rocks; quartzite formed when sandstone recrystallized during metamorphism, commonly hundreds of millions to billions of years ago. The specimen’s rounded form likely developed in a river, beach, or rock tumbler.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used for landscaping, decorative stone, countertops, and mineral collections; attractive translucent pieces may be used in crafts or cabochons.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to weathering, allowing it to survive as durable pebbles. Identification would require testing because the image cannot distinguish quartz from quartzite confidently.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, translucent margins, conchoidal fracture, and resistance to scratching glass; it should not be scratched by a steel knife. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, river gravels, beaches, and sandstone-derived terrains.