mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white or clear with a vitreous (glassy) luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Identified July 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white or clear with a vitreous (glassy) luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through crystallization from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma, frequently smoothed into pebbles by mechanical weathering, water action, and river or beach transport over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, decorative stone, glass manufacturing, electronics, and occasionally lapidary work.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals on Earth's continental crust, highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy appearance. Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and sedimentary deposits.