mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/cream/off-white; Luster: Dull to waxy when water-worn; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Tan/cream/off-white
Luster: Dull to waxy when water-worn

Identified July 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/cream/off-white; Luster: Dull to waxy when water-worn; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is likely a water-worn river or beach pebble shaped by mechanical erosion over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction aggregates, and as a source of silica for industrial glass making. Smaller pebbles are frequently used in tumble polishing for hobbyists.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These smooth, rounded shapes are created through a process called saltation, where rocks bounce along riverbeds, wearing down their edges.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. These are ubiquitous in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along coastlines globally.