Rock Identifier
Common River Rock (Siliceous rock fragment) — sedimentary
sedimentary

Common River Rock

Siliceous rock fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on quartz content. Typically brown, grey, or tan with a smooth, water-worn texture and dull luster.

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Physical properties

Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on quartz content. Typically brown, grey, or tan with a smooth, water-worn texture and dull luster.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the mechanical weathering and fluvial transport of parent rocks over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in landscaping, gardening, decorative pathways, and as aggregate in construction.

Geological facts

Water-worn pebbles and cobbles develop their rounded shapes as tumbling river currents grind them against other stones.

Field identification & locations

Found abundantly in riverbeds, streams, and beaches worldwide; identified by smooth rounded edges and high resistance to weathering.