mineral

White quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White, opaque to translucent, with a vitreous-to-waxy luster and rounded, water-worn form; faint reddish-brown fractures or staining are visible. Hardness is 7 Mohs, specific gravity about 2.65, and it has no cleavage but conchoidal fracture; fine details are limited by image blur.

Identified September 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a naturally eroded quartz-rich pebble derived from igneous or metamorphic rocks and transported by water or sediment. Quartz formed in many geological settings and spans Precambrian to modern ages; the specimen’s exact age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive milky quartz is collected or used decoratively, but this rounded piece has little jewelry value.

Geological facts

Milky appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or impurities scattering light. Iron staining commonly produces the subtle orange-brown marks.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its white color, exceptional scratch resistance, lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife. Common in stream gravels, quartz veins, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.