mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Off-white to yellowish tan due to iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive/granular in water-worn pebbles). Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Off-white to yellowish tan due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed via igneous intrusions or hydrothermally, later weathered, eroded, and rounded by stream or river transport over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used widely in landscaping, decorative stone, construction aggregate, and as tumbling specimens for rockhounding enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Rounded quartzite and quartz pebbles like this are often referred to as river rocks or cobbles.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its ability to easily scratch glass, lack of cleavage, crystalline surface reflection, and rounded water-worn morphology. Common along riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits worldwide.