mineral
Tumbled quartz-rich pebble
Quartz (SiO₂), likely milky quartz or quartzite fragment
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite 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 More mineral →
Explore Tumbled quartz-rich pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
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.
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.
