metamorphic

Banded Quartzite River Pebble

Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Sandstone (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/brown with a white quartz band; Luster: Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; No cleavage.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Tan/brown with a white quartz band
Luster: Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein

Identified March 21, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/brown with a white quartz band; Luster: Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; No cleavage.

Formation & geological history

Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to extreme heat and pressure (metamorphism). The white band is a hydrothermal quartz vein that filled a fracture during the specimen's deep-crustal history.

Uses & applications

Aesthetic landscaping, aggregate in heavy construction, or as decorative pocket stones and 'worry stones' for collectors.

Geological facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often survives millions of years of river and glacial transport. This specific specimen is likely an 'erratic,' shaped by water erosion and ice movement.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial moraines, and rocky beaches globally.