mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Off-white to milky white with light yellowish/brownish iron stains. Luster: Vitreous to dull (weathered surface). Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to dull (weathered surface)

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz Pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through crystallization in igneous veins or metamorphic environments. This rounded pebble shape was formed through aquatic or subaerial erosion, where water currents or waves naturally tumbled and smoothed the rock over time.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, water filtration, construction aggregates, and as rock tumbling material for hobbyists.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals on Earth's surface, highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering, which allows quartz pebbles to survive long transport along rivers and beaches.

Field identification & locations

Look for a smooth, rounded surface with light coloration, high hardness that easily scratches glass, and a dull-to-waxy finish. Found abundantly in riverbeds, gravel pits, beaches, and glaciated terrains worldwide.