mineral

Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (though rounded here); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified April 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (though rounded here); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. These specific specimens are water-worn clasts, likely weathered out of older rock formations (like pegmatites or sandstone) and transported by water over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in construction as aggregate, in glassmaking, and in electronics for its piezoelectric properties. These specific river-worn pebbles are often used in landscaping and garden decor.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to physical and chemical weathering, which is why it remains as pebbles while other minerals dissolve or turn to clay.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its waxy luster when wet. It is commonly found in stream beds, beaches, and soil throughout the world.