mineral

White Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal veins; these rounded pebbles are typically shaped by long-term water erosion in riverbeds or coastal environments. Quartz can be found in rocks from nearly all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as decorative stones or worry stones. Pure high-grade quartz is essential for making silicon chips.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Historically, it was believed to be 'frozen ice' by ancient Greeks. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass or steel. In the field, look for a smooth, waxy surface on river stones with no visible layers. Common worldwide in fluvial deposits.

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