mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: White to milky with minor iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: White to milky with minor iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified August 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: White to milky with minor iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed via crystallization from silica-rich solutions or cooling magmas, subsequently weathered, transported, and rounded by water action in rivers or beach environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, aggregate, glassmaking, electronics, and lapidary arts.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it commonly survives as pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in streambeds, beaches, and sedimentary deposits.