sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white, gray, to translucent; vitreous luster; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white, gray, to translucent; vitreous luster; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the mechanical weathering and rounding of quartz-rich rocks (like granite or veins of quartz) transported by water or wind over long periods, often found in stream beds and beaches.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative stone, and as a raw material in various industrial applications like glassmaking and abrasives.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals in Earth's continental crust, making quartz pebbles extremely common in sedimentary deposits worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and resistance to chemical weathering; commonly found in river gravels and ancient conglomerates.
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Arenite (if sandstone)
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Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
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Sedimentary Sandstone
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Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble
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