mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, dull to earthy luster, off-white to yellowish-tan color, conchoidal fracture, highly resistant to weathering.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, dull to earthy luster, off-white to yellowish-tan color, conchoidal fracture, highly resistant to weathering.
Formation & geological history
Formed as quartz vein material in igneous or metamorphic rocks, subsequently eroded, rounded, and transported by river or stream action into alluvial deposits.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, road aggregate, construction fill, or as river stone material. Has negligible individual commercial value.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Small rounded quartz pebbles like this are formed over years of abrasive tumbling in water bodies.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Found abundantly in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel pits worldwide.
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