Quartz Pebble

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to yellowish-tan, Luster: vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & Geological History

Formed from cooling silica-rich magma or hydrothermal veins. This specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by erosion and transport over thousands of years.

Uses & Applications

Industrial use in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative stone or landscaping gravel.

Geological Facts

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

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its waxy luster when tumbled. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.

Identified on: 4/27/2026

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