sedimentary

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, grey, or translucent in color, vitreous to dull luster, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.

Identified August 6, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, grey, or translucent in color, vitreous to dull luster, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the mechanical weathering and erosion of quartz-bearing parent rocks like granite or quartzite, followed by fluvial or marine transport that rounds the edges over long periods.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, decorative stone, construction aggregates, and as a raw material for glassmaking and silicon production.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering, allowing it to persist in beach and river sands.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. Common in beaches, riverbeds, and glacial outwash plains worldwide.