mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White/Translucent, Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn), Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (though rounded here), Specific gravity: 2.65

Identified June 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White/Translucent, Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn), Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (though rounded here), Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed via crystallization from magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen has been eroded and rounded by water action in a river or beach environment over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscaping stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often called 'river stones' and have been smoothed by the constant abrasive action of water and sediment.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. For collectors, it is a basic specimen of common silicate minerals.