mineral

Tumbled quartz pebbles

Quartz (silicon dioxide, SiO₂), commonly milky or translucent quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; white, pale gray, or translucent; vitreous to waxy luster; trigonal crystal structure, with indistinct cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The rounded surfaces indicate tumbling or water wear.

Identified August 28, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic fluids, then survives weathering as resistant stream or beach gravel; specimens may range from Precambrian to modern sediments.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative stones, craft material, lapidary rough, landscaping gravel, and occasionally in jewelry; these appear common rather than gem-grade.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and ranks 7 on the Mohs scale, making it harder than ordinary steel and resistant to scratching.

Field identification & locations

Identify by glassy appearance, lack of visible cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; common worldwide in veins, pegmatites, rivers, and beaches.