sedimentary

Banded sandstone pebble

Quartz-rich sandstone (predominantly quartz, with feldspar and iron-oxide cement)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 6–7 Mohs; tan, pink, and cream with thin sedimentary bands, dull to slightly silky luster, and very fine granular texture. It appears water-rounded and may show weak bedding rather than crystal cleavage.

Identified August 12, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when sand accumulated, compacted, and cemented into sandstone, with iron oxides producing the reddish bands; the exact geological age cannot be determined from the image. Rounding indicates transport by a river, beach, or glacial environment.

Uses & applications

Used mainly as a decorative pebble, teaching specimen, or lapidary material; sandstone also has major construction and paving uses. This small ordinary pebble has little commercial value.

Geological facts

The visible layers record changing sediment supply or depositional conditions. Its smooth shape results from abrasion during transport, while its granular appearance distinguishes it from a crystalline quartzite.

Field identification & locations

Common in streambeds, beaches, glacial deposits, and weathered sandstone regions worldwide. Identify it by visible bedding, gritty texture, lack of visible interlocking crystals, and failure to strongly fizz with dilute acid.