sedimentary
Banded Jasper / Chert Beach Pebble
Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to waxy luster when wet, conchoidal fracture, smooth water-worn texture, yellow-brown to olive-green banding.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to waxy luster when wet, conchoidal fracture, smooth water-worn texture, yellow-brown to olive-green banding.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and precipitation of silica-rich fluids or radiolarian microfossils in marine environments, followed by deep burial, diagenesis, and subsequent weathering and water-smoothing by wave action on beaches or rivers.
Uses & applications
Popular among lapidaries and rockhounds for tumbling, polishing, wire-wrapping, and crafting cabochons or decorative gravel.
Geological facts
Beach pebbles made of microcrystalline quartz are extremely durable and can endure millions of years of wave and river erosion without breaking down completely.
Field identification & locations
Look for a smooth, rounded surface with visible fine layering or color banding that feels heavy for its size and cannot be scratched easily by a steel knife. Commonly found on ocean beaches, riverbeds, and glacial till worldwide.
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