mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White / Translucent, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline in this weathered form), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White / Translucent, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline in this weathered form), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely millions of years old, shaped by mechanical erosion in a fluvial environment.
Uses & applications
Used as aggregate in construction, as a source for silicon in glass-making and electronics, and as decorative gravel or tumbled stones.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's crust and is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it commonly persists as pebbles in rivers and on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its translucent appearance. It is found globally in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and coastal regions.
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