mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: White to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma. This specific specimen is a 'river rock' or 'tumble' shaped by hydraulic erosion, where flowing water rounds the edges of broken quartz fragments over hundreds to thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used in landscaping, as drainage gravel, in glass manufacturing when crushed, and as simple decorative collectibles or worry stones.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded white pebbles are often called 'lucky stones' by children and are ubiquitous in riverbeds worldwide.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and white/milky appearance. They are found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till. Collectors look for high clarity or unique inclusions.