mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to light tan/pinkish; Luster: Vitreous to dull (water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to light tan/pinkish
Luster: Vitreous to dull (water-worn)

Identified July 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily in igneous and metamorphic environments, then weathered, transported, and smoothed by water action in a river or coastal environment. These pebbles can be millions of years old.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction aggregates, as a source for silica in glassmaking, and occasionally for lapidary tumbling for hobbyists.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its high durability allows it to survive long-distance transport in rivers, which is why it is the primary component of most beach sand.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass), lack of layering, and rounded shape from mechanical weathering. Look for them in stream beds and shoreline gravel.