sedimentary
Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray or translucent white color, vitreous to waxy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, and a specific gravity of around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray or translucent white color, vitreous to waxy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, and a specific gravity of around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and weathering of quartz-rich rocks (such as granite or quartzite) over long geological timescales, often smoothed and rounded by water transport in rivers or beaches.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative stone, construction aggregate, and as raw material for glassmaking and silicon production.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant and durable minerals in Earth's continental crust. Its high resistance to chemical and physical weathering allows pebbles like this to survive long journeys down river systems.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial outwash. Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (due to hardness 7) and its smooth, water-worn shape.
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