Rock Identifier
White quartz pebble (Quartz, SiO₂ (likely milky quartz)) — mineral
mineral

White quartz pebble

Quartz, SiO₂ (likely milky quartz)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Opaque white to cream, rounded and water-worn, with a vitreous to dull surface; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The image does not show enough detail to confirm composition; white quartz or another pale hard rock is plausible.

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Physical properties

Opaque white to cream, rounded and water-worn, with a vitreous to dull surface; Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, and no cleavage. The image does not show enough detail to confirm composition; white quartz or another pale hard rock is plausible.

Formation & geological history

If quartz, it formed through crystallization from silica-rich fluids or magma and was later rounded by transport in water. Its age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used in landscaping, decoration, and collections; this specimen appears to have little commercial or gem value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing durable pebbles to accumulate in river and beach deposits.

Field identification & locations

A glassy luster and ability to scratch glass can support quartz identification, though a hardness test should be done cautiously. Rounded white pebbles occur in rivers, beaches, and gravel deposits worldwide.