sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from grey to white and yellowish, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from grey to white and yellowish, vitreous to dull luster, cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from parent rocks containing quartz that have undergone weathering, erosion, and extensive water transport in rivers, streams, or coastal environments, rounding the edges over long periods.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative gravel, aquarium substrates, and abrasive manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as smooth pebbles after other minerals have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth, water-worn shape. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial outwash deposits worldwide.
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