mineral
Quartz fragment (Pebble)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, light brown, grayish-beige. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive/fragmented in eroded specimens). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: ~2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, light brown, grayish-beige
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, light brown, grayish-beige. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive/fragmented in eroded specimens). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: ~2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary environments. Common as weathered rock debris, gravel, or soil inclusions derived from quartz-rich bedrock.
Uses & applications
Common river gravel, construction aggregate, landscape decoration, and casual rock collecting.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Small weathered pebbles like this are ubiquitous around the world.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of clear cleavage, and light tan/whitish translucent body. Very commonly found in soils, riverbeds, and gravel pathways.
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