mineral

White quartz pebble (likely milky quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to translucent with a vitreous to dull/waxy surface, irregular fracture, and no cleavage. The rounded shape indicates natural water wear or tumbling; faint pink staining may be iron-related or suggest rose quartz, though translucency is insufficient for certainty.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

Explore White quartz pebble (likely milky quartz) 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 crystallizes from silica-rich igneous and metamorphic fluids, commonly in granite veins and pegmatites, then survives weathering as resistant stream or beach pebbles. Its formation may span Precambrian to recent geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in glass, ceramics, electronics, abrasives, construction aggregate, and ornamental stone; attractive pieces are sold as décor or inexpensive lapidary material.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is piezoelectric, producing an electrical charge under pressure. Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions and fractures.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy appearance, lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and ability to scratch ordinary glass; a steel knife should not scratch it. Common in quartz veins, granitic terrains, and river gravels worldwide.