mineral

Quartz pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: translucent to milky white/pale yellowish; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: translucent to milky white/pale yellowish
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: translucent to milky white/pale yellowish; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn alluvial pebble, likely eroded from a larger vein and smoothed by transport in a river or stream over thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used industrial for glass making and electronics (in pure form). Small pebbles are used in landscaping, aquarium decor, and as entry-level mineral specimens for novice collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and lack of cleavage. Often found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel pits globally.