mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with host rock matrix
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, translucent tan, and grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White, translucent tan, and grey
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, translucent tan, and grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn river or beach pebble where constant abrasion has smoothed the edges of the quartz and its adhering matrix rock.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in landscaping, aquariums, masonry, and as a raw material for silicon production; historically used for making primitive stone tools.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often referred to as 'river stones' or 'beach glass' when found in aquatic environments.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of internal cleavage. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. Look for the characteristic waxy smooth surface of weathered quartz.
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