mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous pegmatites. This specific specimen appears to be a river-worn or beach-tumbled pebble, shaped by mechanical erosion over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Quartz is used extensively in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a common gemstone for jewelry and healing crystal collections.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and soil. Collectors look for clarity or unique inclusions.