mineral

Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal fluids. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by mechanical weathering in a high-energy water environment like a river or beach.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, construction aggregates, and as decorative landscape gravel or tumbling material for collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz pebbles often remain as the last survivors of eroded mountain ranges.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and translucent milky appearance. Found globally in riverbanks, beaches, and glacial deposits. For collectors, it is a basic fundamental specimen.