mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, and translucent grey patches; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when polished by water); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Cream, white, and translucent grey patches
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when polished by water)

Identified June 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous and metamorphic rocks, later eroded and rounded by water transport in a river or coastal environment. These pebbles can range from millions to billions of years in age.

Uses & applications

Used in construction aggregate, landscaping, glass manufacturing (when high purity), and as decorative stones or tumbled pocket stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These water-worn pebbles are often the survivors of intense erosion because quartz is chemically and physically resistant to weathering.

Field identification & locations

Look for a smooth, rounded shape with a slightly translucent appearance (it will glow under a flashlight). It cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Common in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till.