mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Creamy white to pale yellow
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & geological history

Formed from the cooling of silica-rich magma or precipitation from hydrothermal veins. This pebble has been weathered and rounded by water transport in a river or beach environment.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative gravel, in landscaping, as a source for glass manufacturing (silica sand), and sometimes as jewelry components when polished.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Over time, erosion breaks Larger quartz veins into pebbles like this one, which are nearly indestructible due to their hardness and lack of cleavage.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of distinct cleavage. Common in stream beds, gravel pits, and coastal areas worldwide.