mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent greyish-white. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Translucent greyish-white
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Translucent greyish-white. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture. Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. This rounded pebble was eroded from a host rock and smoothed by water action in a river, stream, or beach environment.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected by beachcombers and rockhounds. Quartz is used in glassmaking, electronics, abrasives, and as a decorative stone.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust after feldspar. Smooth, rounded water-worn pebbles like this are typical of stream beds and coastal shorelines.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its translucency, hardness (scratches glass readily), non-metallic luster, and water-worn rounded shape. Abundant worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits.