mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white (cloudy), Luster: vitreous to waxy when weathered, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hidden in rounded form), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified March 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen has been chemically and mechanically weathered, likely tumbled in a river or coastal environment, resulting in its smooth, rounded shape.

Uses & applications

Used in high-purity glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), and as a common component in construction aggregate or landscaping gravel.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its extreme hardness and resistance to chemical weathering allow it to survive long-distance transport in rivers and oceans, which is why it dominates beach and river gravel populations.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage planes. It is virtually ubiquitous in riverbeds, glacial tills, and decorative pathway gravels worldwide.