mineral

Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white (cloudy/milky), Luster: greasy to vitreous, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (though water-worn), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified April 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes or igneous crystallization within veins. This specific specimen has been chemically and physically weathered and rounded by water transport (fluvial or beach action) over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in industry for glass making, abrasives, and as a component in concrete. Tumbled pebbles like this are often used for decorative landscaping or aquarium gravel.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This pebble is a 'tough' survivor mineral, meaning it has outlasted other softer minerals during the erosion process.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage. Look for a waxy or sugary texture on the surface in riverbeds, fields, or beaches worldwide.