mineral

Quartz Pebble (on Granite)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellowish-tan to orange-brown. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal system: Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellowish-tan to orange-brown
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellowish-tan to orange-brown. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal system: Trigonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide range of geological environments, including igneous pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks. Weathering breaks down parent rocks, releasing durable quartz fragments that become water-worn pebbles in sedimentary processes.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative aggregate, in lapidary work, as river stone landscaping, and historically for glassmaking and abrasive applications.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to both chemical weathering and physical breakdown, which is why quartz pebbles often survive long transport in streams and oceans.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its scratch resistance (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy-to-waxy luster. Commonly found along riverbeds, beaches, and in gravel deposits worldwide.