
sedimentary
Pet Rock (Quartzite/Sandstone River Rock)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) mixture
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6-7 (Mohs), tan/brown color, earthy to grainy luster, clastic texture with attached plastic 'googly' eyes.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 (Mohs), tan/brown color, earthy to grainy luster, clastic texture with attached plastic 'googly' eyes.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and cementation of mineral grains, likely further shaped by fluvial erosion in a riverbed before being modified by a human.
Uses & applications
Novelty item, toy, or decorative paperweight; used historically as a marketing phenomenon in the 1970s.
Geological facts
The 'Pet Rock' was a 1970s fad created by Gary Dahl, who sold ordinary stones in cardboard boxes with breathing holes and an instruction manual.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its rounded river-worn shape, dull tan exterior, and the presence of artificial adhesive and plastic ocular components.
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