mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Translucent white to tan, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though water-worn), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Translucent white to tan, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (though water-worn), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins; this specific specimen has been smoothed and rounded through water erosion in a river or beach environment over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, glass manufacturing, electronics due to piezoelectric properties, and as decorative river stones.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which means 'hard'.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. These are ubiquitous in gravel beds and stream deposits globally.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous