mineral

Quartz pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Yellowish to pale orange, likely due to iron oxide staining. Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous. Crystal structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Yellowish to pale orange, likely due to iron oxide staining
Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous

Identified July 29, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via weathering and water transport. Original quartz crystals from igneous or metamorphic rocks were eroded, transported by rivers or wave action, and smoothed into pebbles over extensive geological time.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, decorative gravel, tumbling, lapidary arts, and sometimes glassmaking or construction aggregates.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals on Earth's continental crust, highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it frequently survives as pebbles in rivers and beaches.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), conchoidal fracture, and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, stream gravels, and beaches worldwide.