mineral
White quartz-rich pebble, possibly chalcedony or milky quartz
Quartz (SiO₂), potentially microcrystalline quartz (chalcedony)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectWhite to pale gray, translucent edges, waxy-to-glassy luster, and rounded water-worn form. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture; the apparent cloudy texture may reflect inclusions or microcrystalline structure.
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Physical properties
White to pale gray, translucent edges, waxy-to-glassy luster, and rounded water-worn form. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs, with no cleavage and conchoidal fracture; the apparent cloudy texture may reflect inclusions or microcrystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Likely a glacially transported or stream-rounded quartz/chalcedony pebble, common in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia. Quartz formed in older igneous, metamorphic, or hydrothermal rocks; its precise age cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Suitable as a decorative stone, lapidary rough, or tumbled stone; attractive translucent material may be polished for display or jewelry. Ordinary pieces have little commercial value.
Geological facts
The bluish-gray areas may be chalcedony, weathering, or surface staining rather than a separate mineral. A scratch test against glass can help: quartz should scratch glass, while a steel knife should not scratch it.
Field identification & locations
Common around 49.0°N, 122.3°W as glacial and alluvial float. Confirm with a glass-scratch test, examining for conchoidal fracture, and checking whether a fresh surface is glassy; identification is provisional because no scale, translucency test, or fresh fracture is visible.
