mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, milky, or slightly yellowish due to iron inclusions; Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (hexagonal system); No cleavage, conchoidal fracture; SG: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White, milky, or slightly yellowish due to iron inclusions
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified April 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. The rounded shape indicates it has been tumbled in a high-energy water environment like a river or beach over centuries/millennia.

Uses & applications

Industrial use as a source of silica for glass and electronics; tumbled stones are used for aquarium gravel, landscape decoration, and as 'pocket stones' for metaphysical enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Greek word 'krustallos', meaning ice, as ancient Greeks believed quartz was ice that had frozen so hard it would never melt.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass easily) and lacks of visible layers. Look for it in riverbeds, gravel pits, and coastal beaches. Collectors should look for higher transparency or unique inclusions.