mineral

White quartz pebble (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent, vitreous-to-waxy luster, massive crystalline structure, and no cleavage. The rounded shape indicates natural water wear or tumbling; the surface appears polished or smoothed.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic fluids; these pebbles commonly derive from weathered quartz veins and are concentrated in river or beach gravels. Quartz formed throughout Earth history, with no age determinable from the image.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, and engineered stone; attractive pieces are sold as décor or inexpensive lapidary material. Not typically valuable as jewelry unless exceptionally clear or specially cut.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing it to survive transport as rounded pebbles. The specimen may also be white chalcedony or a quartz-rich rock, but its uniform appearance favors massive quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy look, lack of cleavage, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and possible conchoidal fracture; common worldwide, especially in stream gravels and quartz-vein regions. Avoid testing a valuable piece with scratching.