mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to milky white with iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins, later weathered and eroded over millions of years into a rounded river pebble.
Uses & applications
Used in manufacturing glass, ceramics, and abrasives. Tumbled versions are common in decorative landscaping and as beginner collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specific specimen shows signs of mechanical weathering (rounding) from water transport.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and soil.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous