mineral
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Translucent yellowish-white, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often massive in pebbles), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: Translucent yellowish-white, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (often massive in pebbles), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins, subsequently weathered and water-worn in a river or beach environment over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, glass manufacturing, abrasives, and as decorative gravel. High-purity quartz is used in electronics.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These smooth shapes are the result of physical weathering known as abrasion.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along coastal shorelines.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary