mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent gray; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in tumbled form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent gray
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered)

Identified June 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins; then weathered and transported by water over millions of years into its rounded pebble shape.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking and electronics (high purity versions); small pebbles are used in landscaping, construction aggregate, and as low-value aquarium gravel.

Geological facts

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

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it can scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Common on beaches and riverbeds worldwide. Look for a waxy, frosted surface on rounded specimens.