mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent white to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Translucent white to colorless
Luster: Vitreous/waxy

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent white to colorless; Luster: Vitreous/waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within cooling igneous magma. This specific specimen has been water-worn and smoothed by alluvial processes in a river or coastal environment over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative gravel or landscaping stone. Tumbled specimens are used in beginner rock collections and jewelry.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it commonly survives as pebbles long after other minerals have eroded away.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. Look for the 'sugary' grain appearance and translucency.