mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow to off-white due to mineral impurities. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to off-white due to mineral impurities
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 31, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz Pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich solutions in hydrothermal veins or as a primary component of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. This specific specimen has been weathered, water-worn, and rounded into a pebble through alluvial transport in streams or rivers.

Uses & applications

Used in decorative landscaping, glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, and as a tumbling or lapidary specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals on Earth's continental crust, highly resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering, which allows pebble-sized pieces to persist for millions of years.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial outwash across the globe.