mineral

Quartz pebble

SiO2

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: white to light gray. Luster: vitreous to dull (due to weathering). Crystal structure: trigonal (often massive in this form).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: white to light gray
Luster: vitreous to dull (due to weathering)

Identified July 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: white to light gray. Luster: vitreous to dull (due to weathering). Crystal structure: trigonal (often massive in this form).

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich fluids in various geological environments, often as veins in other rocks. Rounded by water transport in rivers or on beaches.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as decorative gravel, in landscaping, or as part of aggregates in construction. Sometimes collected for tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Its hardness makes it resistant to weathering, which is why it commonly forms pebbles and sand.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage (conchoidal fracture), and common white/cloudy appearance. Widely found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.