mineral
Quartz pebble
SiO2, Quartz
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7, conchoidal fracture, vitreous luster. Appears milky to translucent with orange/brown iron staining.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Quartz pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 7, conchoidal fracture, vitreous luster. Appears milky to translucent with orange/brown iron staining.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous or metamorphic rocks, then eroded, transported by water, and smoothed into a rounded pebble.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, construction (aggregate), and sometimes tumbled for decorative purposes.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Iron oxide staining is common and gives the stone its reddish-orange hue.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and lack of cleavage. Very common in riverbeds and beaches.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Calcite–fluorite mineral specimen with iron-oxide staining
Calcite (CaCO₃), likely fluorite (CaF₂), with possible quartz and iron/manganese oxides
mineral
Mineral Sand (Heavy Mineral Sand Concentrate)
Placer deposit concentrate containing minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and magnetite
mineral
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous