mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to tannish-pink, Luster: vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often worn smooth in pebbles), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: cloudy white to tannish-pink, Luster: vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often worn smooth in pebbles), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from the accumulation of silica in igneous or metamorphic host rocks. This specific specimen has been water-worn into a pebble shape through fluvial or coastal erosion.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in landscaping, as a glass-making silica source, in construction aggregate, and as a collectible for beginners.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded river rocks are often called 'river stones' or 'cobbles' depending on their size.

Field identification & locations

Identifiable by its inability to be scratched by steel and its translucent appearance. It is one of the most common stones found in riverbeds, beaches, and gardens globally.