sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Whitish to translucent light brown; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Whitish to translucent light brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Whitish to translucent light brown; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the weathering and erosion of parent igneous or metamorphic rocks, subsequently rounded and smoothed through water transport in marine, river, or beach environments.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative gravel, aggregate in construction, and by hobbyist lapidaries for tumbling and polishing.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering, which is why it often survives as durable pebbles on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide along riverbeds, beaches, and glacial outwash. Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth, water-worn shape.
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