metamorphic

Banded quartzite pebble

Quartzite, predominantly quartz (SiO₂), with orange iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, rounded pebble with a salmon-orange body and broad white quartz-rich band; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and vitreous to dull luster. The visible banding may reflect original sedimentary layering or quartz-vein material; exact mineralogy cannot be confirmed from the image alone.

Identified October 13, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when quartz-rich sandstone was recrystallized under heat and pressure, commonly during regional metamorphism; age depends on its source and cannot be determined visually. Stream or shoreline transport likely rounded and polished it.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative pebble, in landscaping, and as a collecting specimen; quartzite is also used for paving, building stone, and aggregate.

Geological facts

Quartzite is highly resistant to scratching and weathering; orange tones commonly come from iron oxides such as hematite or goethite.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hard, quartz-rich stone with interlocking grains and no easy splitting along layers; it may scratch glass. Quartzite pebbles occur in many river and beach gravels worldwide.