mineral

Tumbled quartz-rich pebble

Quartz (SiO₂), likely milky quartz or quartzite fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to pale pink, translucent, with a dull-to-glassy luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and hexagonal crystal structure. The irregular shape and surface suggest natural abrasion or tumbling.

Identified August 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal veins; quartzite forms when sandstone recrystallizes during metamorphism. Its exact geological age and source cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used decoratively, in landscaping, aggregate, and craft collections; attractive pieces may be used in jewelry, though this specimen appears low-grade.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing it to accumulate in streambeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its white translucency, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel nail; a glass streak or conchoidal fracture supports quartz. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, beaches, and gravel deposits.