sedimentary
Mixed River Stones / Quartz and Granite Pebbles
Silicate minerals and various rock fragments
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale for quartz-rich stones; colors include white, tan, green, grey, and brown; luster ranges from vitreous to dull; varied crystal structures and smooth rounded shapes due to water transport.
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Physical properties
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale for quartz-rich stones; colors include white, tan, green, grey, and brown; luster ranges from vitreous to dull; varied crystal structures and smooth rounded shapes due to water transport.
Formation & geological history
Formed through various geological processes including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary activity, subsequently weathered, eroded, and transported by rivers and streams where they became rounded pebbles.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative garden features, terrariums, and aggregate for construction.
Geological facts
River rocks are smoothed over thousands or millions of years by the abrasive action of water and sediment moving over them in riverbeds.
Field identification & locations
Found abundantly in riverbeds, lake shores, and glacial deposits worldwide; identified by their smooth, rounded surfaces resulting from water tumbling.
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