mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white, tan, and grey translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: white, tan, and grey translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white, tan, and grey translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specimen is a water-worn river or beach pebble, shaped through mechanical weathering and erosion over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics, construction aggregate, and as a common decorative stone for landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. Found worldwide in nearly every geological environment.