mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to colorless/translucent; Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy when water-worn; Crystal structure: Trigonal (though not visible in tumbled form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: White to colorless/translucent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy when water-worn

Identified March 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma (igneous) or silica-rich hot fluids (hydrothermal). This specific specimen has been chemically and mechanically weathered by water and sand, typically in a riverbed or coastal environment, over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscaping stones. Tumbled pieces are popular for chakra healing, aquarium gravel, and beginner rock collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to chemical weathering, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sands and river pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Look for a translucent texture and a rounded, smooth shape if found near water. It is very common in glacial deposits and river systems globally.