mineral

Quartz-rich gravel fragment

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), possibly with feldspar or carbonate inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, irregular pale-white fragment with a dull to slightly glassy luster and no clearly visible crystal faces. Quartz hardness is Mohs 7, conchoidal fracture, poor cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65; exact properties are uncertain because the specimen is partly weathered or composite.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a naturally weathered and transported pebble from quartz-bearing igneous or metamorphic rock, deposited in alluvial or gravel material. The original rock may be Precambrian to younger, depending on its source region.

Uses & applications

Quartz gravel is used for landscaping, concrete aggregate, road construction, filtration, and silica production; attractive pieces may be collected but this fragment has little jewelry value.

Geological facts

Quartz is among Earth’s most abundant minerals and is highly resistant to chemical weathering, allowing it to accumulate in gravel deposits.

Field identification & locations

Common in riverbeds, glacial deposits, beaches, and crushed-rock aggregate. A glassy appearance, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and lack of strong cleavage support quartz; acid testing can help exclude calcite.