Mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Hexagonal crystal system (though water-worn); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to translucent white
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to translucent white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Hexagonal crystal system (though water-worn); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma. This specific specimen is a 'river rock' or 'alluvial pebble,' meaning it was eroded from a larger vein and smoothed by water transport over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative landscaping gravel.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded pebbles in rivers and on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of cleavage. It is commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and beaches globally.
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