mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-white to tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Grayish-white to tan
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely transported and shaped by alluvial or glacial processes over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glass manufacturing, electronics (due to piezoelectric properties), construction aggregates, and as decorative landscaping stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. River-worn pebbles like this one often contain smaller inclusions of other minerals and can be found in almost every riverbed globally.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of cleavage. Look for smooth, rounded shapes in streambeds, gravel pits, and beaches. Collectors often look for unique internal fractures or color patterns within these common rocks.