mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, off-white, or brownish-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan, off-white, or brownish-yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (weathered)

Identified July 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich fluids in igneous veins or metamorphic environments. This specific specimen has been chemically weathered and physically rounded through alluvial or glacial transport.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in construction aggregate, landscaping, glass manufacturing, and as a source of silicon for electronics. Found as river rock or beach pebbles.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its high resistance to chemical and physical weathering allows it to survive long-term erosion that destroys other minerals.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), its lack of cleavage, and its waxy surface when rounded. Commonly found in riverbeds, gravel pits, and along shorelines worldwide.