mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, translucent milky to yellowish color with slight iron staining, vitreous to waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.

Identified July 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, translucent milky to yellowish color with slight iron staining, vitreous to waxy luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary environments, subsequently weathered, eroded, and rounded into a smooth pebble by water action in riverbeds, lakes, or coastal areas.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a beach pebble or landscape stone; microcrystalline and macrocrystalline quartz varieties are used in lapidary art, jewelry, and industrial abrasives.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Rounded pebbles like this one demonstrate the high resistance of quartz to chemical and physical weathering.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily, cannot be scratched by a steel knife), lack of cleavage, smooth stream-worn texture, and translucent waxy appearance. Found worldwide in stream beds, river gravels, and beaches.