mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: translucent white to grayish with iron staining (reddish spots); Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Luster: Vitreous/Glassy

Identified June 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: translucent white to grayish with iron staining (reddish spots); Luster: Vitreous/Glassy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity in veins. This specific specimen appears to be water-worn and highly eroded from its original matrix.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a hard aggregate in construction. As a pebble, it is primarily a collector or decorative item.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Small pebbles like this are often rounded by the action of water in rivers or beaches over thousands of years.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. Frequently found in stream beds, gravel pits, and coastal areas worldwide.