metamorphic

Iron-stained quartzite pebble

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

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; gray-tan with rusty orange-brown patches, dull to slightly glassy luster, and a dense, granular texture. Quartz grains are interlocked; no obvious cleavage.

Identified October 4, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness about 7 Mohs; gray-tan with rusty orange-brown patches, dull to slightly glassy luster, and a dense, granular texture. Quartz grains are interlocked; no obvious cleavage.

Formation & geological history

Formed when quartz-rich sandstone was recrystallized by heat and pressure during metamorphism; the specimen’s age and precise source cannot be determined from the image. Rust-colored areas likely reflect iron oxides from weathering.

Uses & applications

Quartzite is used as crushed aggregate, paving and building stone, and sometimes as decorative stone; this rounded pebble is mainly suitable for collecting or display.

Geological facts

Quartzite is hard enough to scratch ordinary glass and typically breaks across its fused quartz grains rather than around them.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hard, compact stone with a sugary or fused-grain appearance and no layering; iron staining commonly marks weathered surfaces. Quartzite occurs worldwide in mountain belts and river or beach gravels.