sedimentary
Quartz pebble (Quartzite / Chert)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, yellowish-brown translucent appearance, waxy to vitreous luster, smooth river-worn texture, no distinct cleavage, Conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, yellowish-brown translucent appearance, waxy to vitreous luster, smooth river-worn texture, no distinct cleavage, Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the erosion, rounding, and transport of quartz-rich rocks or vein quartz by water in riverbeds or coastal environments over long geological periods.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative river rock, landscaping aggregate, abrasive materials, and occasionally for lapidary tumbling by rockhounds.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and resistant minerals on Earth's surface, allowing stream-driven pebbles like this to survive transport over hundreds of miles.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass easily, its smooth rounded water-worn shape, and translucent yellowish-brown body. Commonly found along riverbanks, gravel bars, and beaches.
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