mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: White to off-white/translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to off-white/translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth, forming in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely shaped by long-term erosion and abrasion in a high-energy aquatic environment.

Uses & applications

Industrial uses include glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric crystals), and abrasives. In this form, it is primarily of interest for beginning collectors or used in landscaping and aggregate.

Geological facts

Quartz is chemically and physically very resistant to weathering, which is why it often remains as pebbles long after other minerals have broken down into soil. It is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded water-worn texture. It is found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits.