mineral
Quartz (River Pebble)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent yellowish-tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to translucent yellowish-tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when weathered)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to translucent yellowish-tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when weathered); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in various environments including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary processes. This specific specimen appears to be a river-worn pebble, shaped by water erosion over hundreds to thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as decorative aggregate in construction.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', meaning hard.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass but not be scratched by steel) and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and mountain trails worldwide.
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Mineral
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Mineral/Rock
Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)
Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)
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