mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale beige to off-white, translucent to opaque. Luster: Vitreous to greasy/waxy due to weathering. Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal microcrystalline structure. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale beige to off-white, translucent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous to greasy/waxy due to weathering

Identified July 24, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed initially in hydrothermal veins or igneous rocks, then weathered, eroded, and rounded by fluvial or coastal water transport over long geological periods.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, construction aggregate, decorative stone, and aquariums. Pure quartz is used in glassmaking and electronics.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Rounded river or beach pebbles like this undergo thousands of years of erosion to achieve their smooth shape.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hardness that can scratch glass (7) and a waxy/vitreous surface with rounded edges. Commonly found along riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits worldwide.