mineral
Quartz Pebble (Milky / Clear Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Semi-translucent, milky white to pale yellow-grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prism system); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Semi-translucent, milky white to pale yellow-grey
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Semi-translucent, milky white to pale yellow-grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prism system); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through crystallization in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and igneous rocks. Over time, weathering and erosion carry quartz fragments into rivers, lakes, or oceans, where water action naturally tumbles and rounds them into smooth beach or river pebbles.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as river stones, used in rock tumbling, landscape gravel, decorative stone art, and as an industrial source of silica for glass manufacturing and electronics.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Rounded quartzite and quartz pebbles like this one can survive millions of years of river and ocean weathering due to quartz's high resistance to chemical breakdown.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its ability to easily scratch glass (Mohs 7), lack of cleavage, smooth water-worn texture, and translucent appearance under light. Very common worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits.
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