sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white, Luster: dull to waxy, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in tumbled form), Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to creamy white, Luster: dull to waxy, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (though not visible in tumbled form), Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed via the weathering of igneous or metamorphic rocks like granite. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed through water erosion in a riverbed or coastal environment. These can be millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, as aggregate in construction, and occasionally for decorative gravel or hobbyist stone tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Over time, erosion breaks down larger quartz veins into small, rounded pebbles like this one.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its smooth water-worn texture, and its lack of clear cleavage planes. Often found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel pits globally.
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