sedimentary

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with slight iron staining; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan to milky white with slight iron staining
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified July 11, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to milky white with slight iron staining; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the weathering and erosion of larger igneous or metamorphic quartz veins. This specific specimen has been chemically or mechanically weathered in a fluvial or beach environment.

Uses & applications

Used in construction aggregate, landscaping gravel, and as a source of silica in glass manufacturing.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These pebbles are often the survivors of millions of years of travel because of their high chemical and physical resistance.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its ability to scratch glass and its resistance to chemical weathering. Found worldwide in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and coastal regions.