mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, cream, or off-white with minor inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Tan, cream, or off-white with minor inclusions
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified March 8, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, cream, or off-white with minor inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes or cooling of silica-rich magma; this specific specimen is a 'river rock,' shaped and smoothed by water erosion over hundreds to thousands of years, potentially originating from ancient quartz veins.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used industrially as an abrasive, in glassmaking, and in hydraulic fracturing. Smooth pebbles are frequently used in landscaping, decorative gravel, and aquarium decor.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Specimens found in riverbeds are often rounded due to 'saltation,' the process of rocks bouncing and grinding against one another in flowing water.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, its lack of cleavage, and its translucent-to-opaque appearance. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till globally.