mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan/yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white to tan/yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan/yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through hydrothermal processes or within igneous rocks like granite. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by erosion over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative gravel or pocket stones.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These smooth shapes are created by the constant tumbling action in rivers or ocean surf.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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