mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Color ranges from clear/white to grey with minor brownish iron staining. Vitreous to greasy luster. Trigonal crystal system (often appearing amorphous when water-worn). Conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage. Specific gravity is approximately 2.65.

Identified August 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids in hydrothermal veins or igneous rocks like granite and pegmatite, subsequently weathered out, transported, and rounded into a pebble by water action in rivers or beach environments over geological time scales.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, as a decorative stone, in construction aggregates, and collected by rockhounds.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Its high resistance to both chemical and mechanical weathering allows it to survive long journeys in riverbeds where less durable minerals are ground away.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its high hardness (it will easily scratch glass and steel) and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.