mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified July 9, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz Pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed via igneous or hydrothermal processes and then weathered and rounded by water transport in a river or beach environment over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, as a component in glass manufacturing, or as grit in industrial polishing and construction aggregates.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specimen is a 'river rock' variety, smoothed by natural erosion.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its smooth, rounded texture typical of fluvial deposits. Found globally in riverbeds and coastal regions.