mineral

White Quartz Pebble

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified April 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or cooling magma. This specific specimen is a river-worn or beach-worn pebble, where water erosion has rounded and smoothed a fragment of a larger quartz vein.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative landscaping stone, in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, and in jewelry (as tumbled stones). High-purity quartz is also essential for electronics and solar panels.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. White quartz is often called 'Milky Quartz' due to microscopic fluid inclusions trapped during the crystal's growth.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel), lack of cleavage, and smooth, water-worn texture. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and mountain trails worldwide.