mineral

White quartz pebble

Quartz (SiO₂), likely milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

A smooth, rounded, opaque-to-translucent white pebble with a vitreous to slightly waxy luster; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, a trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. The image does not show enough detail to confirm the material definitively.

Identified October 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

If quartz, it formed when silica crystallized in igneous or hydrothermal settings; weathering and transport rounded it into a pebble. Quartz is widespread in rocks of many geological ages.

Uses & applications

Small quartz pebbles are used in crafts, décor, and collections; larger, purer quartz has industrial uses and may be cut for jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and breaks with a characteristic curved, conchoidal fracture rather than along cleavage planes.

Field identification & locations

Check for glassy translucence, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and absence of cleavage; similar-looking pebbles may be calcite or another pale mineral. Common in river and beach gravels worldwide.