mineral

White quartz pebble

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), likely milky quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white to cream color, vitreous to waxy luster, translucent edges, and no cleavage. It has a trigonal crystal structure, though this specimen is rounded and appears naturally or artificially tumbled.

Identified September 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Milky quartz forms when silica-rich fluids fill fractures in igneous, metamorphic, or hydrothermal environments; its source age cannot be determined from the photograph. Rounding likely occurred through stream or beach abrasion, or tumbling.

Uses & applications

Used for glass, ceramics, engineered stone, abrasives, and electronics; attractive pieces are sold as inexpensive décor or lapidary material.

Geological facts

The cloudy appearance results from microscopic fluid inclusions, fractures, or structural defects. Quartz is among Earth’s most abundant and chemically resistant minerals.

Field identification & locations

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