mineral

White Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to translucent
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to waxy when water-worn

Identified March 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or from hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen has been smoothed and rounded by the mechanical action of water (alluvial/fluvial transport) over hundreds to thousands of years.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, as an aggregate in high-strength concrete, glass manufacturing, and as a common find for beginning mineral collectors. High-purity quartz is used in electronics for its piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear; the white color in this specimen is caused by tiny inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during the crystal's growth, known as 'Milky Quartz'.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and lack of cleavage. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits. For collectors, look for clarity or unique water-worn shapes.