mineral

Quartz pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Clear to milky white; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale
Color: Clear to milky white
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Clear to milky white; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. This specimen shows signs of alluvial weathering, indicating it was smoothed by water transport in a river or stream environment.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), and construction as an abrasive or aggregate. Low-grade specimens are common for landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often remains as small pebbles after other minerals have eroded.