mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely millions of years old, shaped by fluvial erosion.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking, abrasives, and electronics (quartz oscillators). Pebbles are used in landscaping and construction aggregates.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is traditionally called rock crystal or clear quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded appearance if found in riverbeds. It is found globally in almost all geological environments.