mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Translucent white to milky cream with small dark inclusions; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Translucent white to milky cream with small dark inclusions
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy

Identified June 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn pebble, likely weathered from an original vein and shaped by river or glacial transport over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative gravel. Smooth pebbles like this are often kept as pocket stones or used in rock tumblers.

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'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and mountain soils.