sedimentary
Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, clear, or greyish color, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, clear, or greyish color, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the mechanical weathering and water transport of larger quartz veins or igneous/metamorphic rocks, often smoothed into pebbles in riverbeds or beaches over long periods.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative gravel, construction aggregate, and as a tumbling stone for lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as pebbles long after other minerals have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and glassy luster. Commonly found in river gravels, beaches, and sedimentary conglomerates worldwide.
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