metamorphic
Polished quartz-rich pebble, possibly jasper or quartzite
Quartzite or chalcedony-bearing jasper; predominantly SiO₂
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectSmall, water-worn and polished, with tan, cream, and brown mottling; likely vitreous to dull luster and massive, non-cleavable texture. Quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs; exact identification requires a scratch, streak, or translucency test.
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Physical properties
Small, water-worn and polished, with tan, cream, and brown mottling; likely vitreous to dull luster and massive, non-cleavable texture. Quartz hardness is about 7 Mohs; exact identification requires a scratch, streak, or translucency test.
Formation & geological history
Likely formed from silica-rich sediment or hydrothermal silica, later weathered into a rounded pebble; the specimen’s precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Common varieties are used as landscaping stone, lapidary material, tumbled stones, and inexpensive decorative or craft pieces.
Geological facts
The brown coloration may come from iron oxides, while the pale areas may be quartz, chalcedony, or altered feldspar. Its smooth shape indicates abrasion in a stream, beach, or tumbling process.
Field identification & locations
Look for glassy fracture, no visible cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; quartz-rich material should scratch ordinary glass. Common worldwide in river gravels and beaches.
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