mineral
Rounded quartz-rich pebble (likely vein quartz or quartzite)
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); possibly quartzite if metamorphic
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmall water-worn pebble with a white to cream, dull surface and a dark gray underside, likely from staining or attached host rock. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous-to-waxy luster, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a hexagonal crystal structure; the specimen’s tiny size obscures these features.
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Physical properties
Small water-worn pebble with a white to cream, dull surface and a dark gray underside, likely from staining or attached host rock. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, vitreous-to-waxy luster, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and a hexagonal crystal structure; the specimen’s tiny size obscures these features.
Formation & geological history
Likely weathered from a quartz vein or quartzite and rounded by stream, beach, or glacial transport. Quartz commonly formed in hydrothermal veins or metamorphic rocks over a wide range of geological ages.
Uses & applications
Common quartz pebbles have little commercial value, though quartz and quartzite are used for glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and construction aggregate.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and resists weathering, allowing it to accumulate in sedimentary deposits. The dark band may be iron/manganese staining or fine-grained mafic material.
Field identification & locations
Test with a steel knife or glass: genuine quartz should scratch glass and resist a knife. Common sources include stream gravels, beaches, quartz veins, and quartzite terrains.
