mineral

Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Grayish-green to tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in this water-worn specimen); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Grayish-green to tan
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via crystallization from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within cooling magma. This specific specimen is likely a stream-tumbled pebble where mechanical erosion has smoothed its original crystalline shape into a rounded form.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as abrasive media, in landscaping, as a source for silicon in electronics, and as decorative gravel.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering, which is why it so often survives as smooth pebbles in riverbeds.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it should scratch glass) and its lack of cleavage. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and soil. Collectors value it as a basic teaching specimen for mineral hardness and coastal geology.