mineral
Quartz Pebble (with iron staining)
Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
Mohs hardness: 7. Color: translucent gray to pinkish-tan due to impurities. Luster: vitreous to waxy. Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal) though water-worn. Cleavage: Indistinct/conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- translucent gray to pinkish-tan due to impurities
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness: 7. Color: translucent gray to pinkish-tan due to impurities. Luster: vitreous to waxy. Structure: Trigonal (hexagonal) though water-worn. Cleavage: Indistinct/conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from hydrothermal veins or as a primary mineral in igneous rocks. This specific specimen is a 'river rock' or 'alluvial pebble' that has been smoothed by high-energy water transport over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction aggregates, as a source for silicon in electronics, for decorative landscaping, and occasionally as a low-cost tumbled gemstone for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specimen shows 'iron staining' or 'limonite staining,' which provides the yellowish-brown tint on its surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel) and lack of visible cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till worldwide.
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