mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white, Luster: vitreous to waxy (when river-worn), Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive in pebbles), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white, Luster: vitreous to waxy (when river-worn), Crystal structure: Trigonal (often massive in pebbles), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)

Formation & geological history

Formed from molten silica cooling in igneous rocks or precipitating from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen was shaped by mechanical weathering and abrasion in a river or high-energy environment.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used for abrasive blasting, glassmaking, and in various architectural aggregates. Pebbles like this are used in landscaping or as aquarium gravel.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its high hardness and lack of cleavage make it extremely resilient to weathering, allowing it to survive as river pebbles while other minerals dissolve.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. High-quality transparent quartz is prized by collectors, while common pebbles are ubiquitous.