mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan/opaque; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Yellowish-tan/opaque
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (weathered)

Identified July 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan/opaque; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (weathered); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the crystallization of silica-rich fluids in various geological environments; this specific piece is a water-worn or tumbled pebble likely from a riverbed or coastal environment.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative gravel, in landscaping, as a source for industrial silica, and occasionally as a low-cost pocket stone or for lapidary tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its resistance to mechanical and chemical weathering causes it to accumulate in riverbeds and on beaches.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded surface indicating transport by water. Common in riverbeds and gravel pits worldwide.