mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent gray; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in tumbled form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white to translucent gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when weathered)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent gray; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in tumbled form); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins; then weathered and transported by water over millions of years into its rounded pebble shape.
Uses & applications
Industrial use in glassmaking and electronics (high purity versions); small pebbles are used in landscaping, construction aggregate, and as low-value aquarium gravel.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it can scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Common on beaches and riverbeds worldwide. Look for a waxy, frosted surface on rounded specimens.
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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