mineral
Yellow Quartz Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellow to tan, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellow to tan, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through crystallization of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or within igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by erosion over centuries.
Uses & applications
Commonly used for landscaping, as a collector's pocket stone, or for industrial glass production and abrasives when found in large quantities.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. The yellow color in this specimen is likely due to trace inclusions of iron hydroxides like goethite or limonite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass), its smooth water-worn surface, and lack of cleavage. Often found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and beaches.
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