mineral
Weathered quartz-rich pebble
Milky quartz, SiO₂, possibly quartzite or quartz-veined rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite to cream, translucent patches, vitreous-to-dull luster, massive granular texture, no obvious cleavage, Mohs hardness ~7, and specific gravity ~2.65. Brown coloration is likely iron-oxide staining and surface weathering.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Weathered quartz-rich pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
White to cream, translucent patches, vitreous-to-dull luster, massive granular texture, no obvious cleavage, Mohs hardness ~7, and specific gravity ~2.65. Brown coloration is likely iron-oxide staining and surface weathering.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallized from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or cooled within an igneous rock; if quartzite, it formed by metamorphism of sandstone. The specimen’s precise age and host rock cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces may be sold as inexpensive cabinet or teaching specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to chemical weathering, allowing it to accumulate in streambeds and soils.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its hardness—quartz scratches ordinary glass—and its lack of cleavage; calcite would fizz in dilute acid and is much softer. Common worldwide, especially in quartz veins, granitic terrains, and river gravels.
