mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to milky white with iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins, later weathered and eroded over millions of years into a rounded river pebble.
Uses & applications
Used in manufacturing glass, ceramics, and abrasives. Tumbled versions are common in decorative landscaping and as beginner collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specific specimen shows signs of mechanical weathering (rounding) from water transport.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and soil.
More like this
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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock
Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)
Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)
Metamorphic Rock
![Biotite Schist (Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]) — metamorphic](https://media.rock.id/9ca564b5-bc87-402b-965a-69b21f9aa6bf-thumbnail.jpg)
Biotite Schist
Biotite-rich Schist [K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(F,OH)2]
metamorphic