mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to pale yellow/honey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to pale yellow/honey
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in a wide variety of environments, most commonly from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely transported and smoothed by fluvial or glacial activity over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, construction aggregate, glass making, and as decorative stone. High-purity quartz is essential in electronics and the manufacturing of silicon chips.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. These rounded pebbles are often called 'river rocks' and are prized for their durability and smooth texture.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and translucent appearance. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits.