mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with yellowish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with yellowish iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen has been water-worn and rounded by erosion. It could originate from any geological era due to quartz's extreme durability.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative gravel. Smooth pebbles like this are often used in landscaping or as pocket stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear, but impurities like iron can create the yellowish 'staining' seen on one side of this pebble.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and resistance to weathering. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.