mineral
Quartz pebble with iron staining
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) with iron oxide inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7, mostly white to translucent, vitreous luster (when wet), conchoidal fracture. Iron staining gives brown patches.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7, mostly white to translucent, vitreous luster (when wet), conchoidal fracture. Iron staining gives brown patches.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous or metamorphic rocks as veins, then weathered and transported by water, rounding its edges.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as a curiosity. Larger deposits are used in glassmaking and construction.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Its hardness makes it resistant to weathering, allowing it to survive as pebbles in rivers and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and vitreous luster. Very common in riverbeds and beaches worldwide.
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