mineral

Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent tan; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy; crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent tan
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy

Identified May 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by erosion and transport in high-energy aquatic environments over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscaping stone. Polished heart-shaped or unique-form pebbles are popular for meditation and collecting.

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'. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and soil. This V-shaped specimen is a 'novelty' shape caused by natural differential erosion along a fracture point.