metamorphic
Gravel Pebble (Likely Quartzite or Basalt)
Quartzite (or Macrocrystalline Quartz)
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Grey, mottled white; Luster: Dull to waxy; Texture: Fine-grained, rounded by erosion; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Grey, mottled white
- Luster
- Dull to waxy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.5-7 (Mohs); Color: Grey, mottled white; Luster: Dull to waxy; Texture: Fine-grained, rounded by erosion; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure, or as an igneous basalt flow, subsequently eroded and smoothed by water/river transport.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction aggregate, landscaping, road base, or as a common garden stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock during erosion, resulting in smooth pebbles like this one found in riverbeds or glacial deposits.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel nail) and rounded appearance. Found globally in riverbanks, beaches, and glacial till.
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