mineral

Quartz pebble

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: semi-transparent, milky white to yellowish; Luster: vitreous (glass-like); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: semi-transparent, milky white to yellowish
Luster: vitreous (glass-like)

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal precipitation in veins. Quartz is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, often surviving as small grains or pebbles in sedimentary environments after other minerals have eroded.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in construction as an aggregate, in the manufacture of glass, and in electronics for its piezoelectric properties. This specific small, weathered pebble has little industrial use but may be collected for hobbyist interests.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is the primary component of most beach sands and can hold a charge of electricity when mechanical pressure is applied.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and its lack of cleavage. Look for a glassy luster on fresh surfaces. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and soil worldwide.