mineral

Quartz Pebble (with probable inclusions or staining)

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan with grey mottled inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Yellowish-tan with grey mottled inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified March 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous pegmatites. This specimen is a 'river rock' or 'tumble-worn' pebble, shaped by water erosion in a high-energy environment like a stream or beach over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as decorative gravel. In this worn form, it is primarily a pocket stone or landscaping material.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its 'waxy' appearance in pebbles is often due to microscopic surface fractures from being tumbled in water.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits globally. For collectors, look for clarity or unique mineral inclusions (dendrites or rutile).

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