mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Cream, white, or translucent; Luster: Vitreous to dull (when weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Cream, white, or translucent
Luster: Vitreous to dull (when weathered)

Identified March 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a 'clast,' meaning it has been weathered out of its parent rock and rounded by transport in water (rivers or coastal environments) over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as a component in concrete and construction aggregate. Polished pebbles are used in landscaping and aquarium decor.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Because of its high chemical and physical stability, it often remains long after other minerals in a rock have weathered away into clay.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Look for a waxy or glassy luster on a fresh break. They are ubiquitous in gravel pits, riverbeds, and beaches worldwide.