mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent with light tan/iron undertones; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent with light tan/iron undertones
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through crystallization of silica-rich fluids in igneous, metamorphic, or hydrothermal environments. Weathered and rounded over time by water action in rivers, streams, or coastal beaches.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone, in lapidary work as polished tumble stones, and industrially as a source of silicon.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Rounded quartzite and quartz pebbles are often called 'river rocks' or 'beach stones'.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of cleavage, milky to translucent appearance, and smooth water-worn texture. Widely distributed globally along gravel beds, riverbanks, and beaches.