mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silica (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Off-white/Gray/Translucent, Luster: Dull to Waxy (weathered), Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline in this form), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Off-white/Gray/Translucent, Luster: Dull to Waxy (weathered), Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline in this form), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is weather-worn, likely shaped by water erosion in a river or coastal environment over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, as a component of concrete, in glass manufacturing, and as a source of silicon for electronics. Found as garden stones or walkway gravel.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often referred to as 'river stones' and have been smoothed by natural abrasive forces.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in stream beds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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