mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, clear, or milky in color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Identified July 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, clear, or milky in color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms in a wide variety of geological environments including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Quartz is extremely resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering, allowing these pebbles to persist long after the parent rock has eroded away, often in riverbeds and beaches.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, decorative gravel, manufacturing of glass and electronics, and lapidary work.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, surpassed only by feldspar. Its durability makes quartz pebbles common components of ancient conglomerates.

Field identification & locations

Easily identifiable in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and resistance to acid. Found worldwide in almost all geological settings.