mineral

Quartz pebble

Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to milky white or greyish color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65

Identified July 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, clear to milky white or greyish color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through crystallization from silicate melts or hydrothermal solutions, often weathering out of igneous and metamorphic parent rocks and transported by water to form smooth pebbles in sedimentary environments

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, decorative stone, abrasives, glassmaking, and electronic components

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals in Earth's continental crust, highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture; commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits worldwide