mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to tannish-gray; 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: Creamy white to tannish-gray
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 14, 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 mechanical erosion in a fluvial or glacial environment over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in construction aggregates, landscaping, jewelry (as tumbled stones), and as a source of silica for glass and electronics manufacturing.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. River pebbles like this one are often durable enough to survive long-distance transport that destroys softer minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded surface. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till. Collectors value unique shapes like this heart-like form.