mineral

Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to yellowish-tan due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: Indistinct/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to yellowish-tan due to iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when water-worn)

Identified May 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in a wide variety of environments, primarily from cooling magma or hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen is a water-worn or tumbled pebble, likely shaped by river or coastal erosion over thousands of years. Quartz is found in almost all geological ages.

Uses & applications

Industrial use in glassmaking and abrasives; construction as an aggregate; decorative use in landscaping and aquarium gravel; common for beginner rock tumbling.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the German word 'Quarz', which has Slavic origins meaning 'hard'. It is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of visible cleavage. This variety is easily found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till worldwide.