mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, yellowish-tan to translucent honey color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, yellowish-tan to translucent honey color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through river, stream, or beach erosion where raw quartz crystal fragments are naturally tumbled and smoothed over long periods of water action
Uses & applications
Landscape decoration, aquariums, tumbling material for lapidary enthusiasts, and educational geological collections
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Rounded quartzite and quartz pebbles often survive millions of years of weathering due to their high resistance to mechanical abrasion and chemical erosion.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth water-worn surface. Commonly found in riverbeds, lake shores, glacial gravels, and beaches worldwide.
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Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral