mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining (yellow/orange); Luster: Dull/waxy (weathered) to vitreous (fresh surface); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining (yellow/orange)
Luster: Dull/waxy (weathered) to vitreous (fresh surface)

Identified July 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal veins or as a primary constituent in igneous rocks. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by fluvial erosion over thousands of years. It likely originated from the breakdown of larger quartz-rich rock formations.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, as an aggregate in construction, and when crushed, for glass making or abrasives. Specimens like this are mostly collected as garden stones or for tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust. Most desert sand and river pebbles are composed mainly of quartz because it is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Look for a smooth, rounded shape on riverbanks or in glacial till. It will not react with acid (unlike limestone).