mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (though not visible in tumbled specimens); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn)

Identified March 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity. These specific specimens are river-worn or 'tumbled' pebbles, having been rounded by the mechanical action of water and abrasive sediments over hundreds to thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking and abrasives; construction as aggregate; landscaping and garden decoration; minor uses in low-cost jewelry or as pocket stones/healing crystals.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is known as rock crystal, but internal fractures and microscopic fluid inclusions often give these pebbles their milky white appearance.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. These are commonly found in stream beds, beaches, and glacial till globally. For collectors, look for smoothness and clarity.