mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-orange (due to iron stains); Luster: vitreous to waxy (weathered); Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (though not visible in this pebble form); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: yellowish-orange (due to iron stains)
Luster: vitreous to waxy (weathered)

Identified July 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich magma or precipitation in hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen has been weathered and rounded by water transport in a river or coastal environment, likely over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Common quartz pebbles are used in landscaping, as aggregate in construction, and in glass manufacturing if pure. This specific specimen is primarily a collector's curiosity or used in rock tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Its yellow or orange staining is typically caused by goethite or limonite (iron oxides) coating the surface or penetrating micro-fractures.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till.