mineral

White Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when polished); 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 (when polished)

Identified June 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids cooling in veins or from the crystallization of magma. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water erosion through transport in a river or coastal environment.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, architectural surfacing, and as a raw material for glass making and electronics. High-purity quartz is used in silicon wafers and precision oscillators.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Milky white quartz gets its color from tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel blade) and its lack of cleavage. Commonly found in river beds, beaches, and mountain outcroppings globally.