mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white with brownish iron-oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Creamy white with brownish iron-oxide staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in hydrothermal veins or as a component of igneous rocks. This specific specimen has been chemically weathered and physically rounded by fluvial processes (river or stream water) over hundreds to thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used industrially in glass making, electronics, and abrasives. In this pebble form, it is often used for decorative landscaping, aquariums, and home décor.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its rounded 'pebble' shape is the result of 'abrasion'—the process of rocks bumping into each other in moving water which rounds off sharp edges.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and smooth water-worn surface. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.