mineral

Quartz Pebble

Crystalline Silica (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to yellowish-orange due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to yellowish-orange due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to yellowish-orange due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Hexagonal; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed via hydrothermal veins or as a primary constituent of igneous rocks. This specific specimen is a water-worn river or beach pebble, smoothed by erosion over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in glassmaking, abrasives, and as decorative landscaping gravel. High-purity quartz is used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is extremely resistant to chemical weathering, which is why it often remains as pebbles long after other minerals have dissolved.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage (it breaks with a conchoidal fracture). It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and soil.