mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan to reddish-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (massive microcrystalline to macrocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan to reddish-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (massive microcrystalline to macrocrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed via igneous or hydrothermal activity and subsequently eroded, rounded, and smoothed by stream or beach action (alluvial transport).
Uses & applications
Used as aggregate in construction, in landscaping, as tumbling rough for lapidary hobbyists, and industrially as a source of silicon.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its smooth, rounded shape indicates significant transportation by water over a long period.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and translucent to opaque waxy appearance. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel pits worldwide.
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Septarian Pebble
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Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
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