mineral
Quartz Pebble (Beach Agate / Chalcedony)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs, Color: Translucent grayish-white with light banding, Luster: Waxy to vitreous when wet, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 6
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 Mohs, Color: Translucent grayish-white with light banding, Luster: Waxy to vitreous when wet, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed via precipitation of silica-rich fluids in volcanic cavity pockets or sedimentary beds, then eroded and rounded by beach wave action over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used for lapidary arts, tumbling, jewelry making, decorative landscaping, and as beachcomber collectibles.
Geological facts
Smooth beach pebbles like this undergo natural tumbling by ocean waves and sand, acting as nature's rock tumbler to produce rounded, soft-feeling stones.
Field identification & locations
Look for translucency when held against light, a smooth waxy texture, and lack of visible crystalline grains. Common along rocky coastlines and gravel riverbeds.
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