sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, translucent, or greyish in color; vitreous luster; trigonal crystal system when formed well; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, translucent, or greyish in color; vitreous luster; trigonal crystal system when formed well; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and natural weathering, transport, and rounding of quartz-rich rocks in fluvial, beach, or glacial environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative ground cover, historical stone tools, and as a durable component in various construction aggregates.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it commonly survives as pebbles.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and resistance to acid. Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and sedimentary deposits.
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