mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Creamy white to pale yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed via the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal precipitation. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely million of years old, shaped by mechanical erosion.

Uses & applications

Small pebbles are used in landscaping, water filtration systems, and as raw materials for manufacturing glass or silicon. In gemology, polished versions are used for costume jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often called 'river stones' or 'stream bed gravel' and can withstand long-distance transport due to their high hardness.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel pocket knife and its lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. Look for translucency when held to light.