Common Gravel / Pebbles
Quartz-rich Rock Fragment / Lithic Pebble · Mineral Specimen
Crystal System
Amorphous / Varied Crystalline
Mineral Group
Silicates
Chemical Formula
SiO2 (predominantly)
Formation Process
Sedimentary and weathering processes involving erosion, transport, and deposition
About This Crystal
The image shows smooth, rounded pebbles embedded in or resting upon soil, dirt, and moss. The pebbles are weathered, greyish-white and bluish-grey stones with smooth, water-worn surfaces.
Physical Characteristics
Hardness varies by mineral content, typically around 7 for quartz pebbles; white streak; conchoidal fracture; opaque with dull to sub-vitreous luster.
Optical Properties
Generally opaque due to microcrystalline structure and impurities; isotropic or aggregate optical behavior.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Ubiquitous worldwide in riverbeds, glacial tills, and coastal deposits
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness typically around 6 to 7 for quartz-dominated pebbles; high durability and resistance to weathering.
Care & Maintenance
Wash with plain water and a soft brush if cleaning is desired; highly stable and resistant to environmental factors.
Rarity & Value
Extremely common; low commercial value, primarily collected as general landscape or construction materials.
Special Characteristics
Water-worn smooth surfaces resulting from fluvial or glacial transport.
Lore & History
Used historically for primitive tools, construction, pathways, and occasionally in grounding or earth-connected meditative practices.