Chert Pebble
Microcrystalline quartz
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A hard, waxy pebble that breaks with a curved, glassy fracture — the stone that made Florida's first tools.
- Typical size
- 0.5–4 in
- How often it turns up
- Uncommon on beaches
- Collecting
- Check local rules
- Handling
- Sharp edges
Worked stone tools are archaeological and must be left in place and reported. Plain pebbles are fine.
How to tell it apart
- Waxy or glassy sheen when wet
- Conchoidal (shell-shaped) fracture surfaces
- Tan, grey, honey or near-white
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for rocks. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Big Talbot Island Boneyard Beach · Jacksonville
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
More rocks in the field guide
Get Florida beachcombing tips
Occasional emails: what's washing up, shelling tips and new BeachNut features. No spam, unsubscribe any time.