igneous
Polished/tumbled pale gray stone, likely quartz-rich river pebble
Probably quartzite or microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂); exact identification requires testing
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale gray-white, waxy to dull luster, rounded and smoothly abraded surface with minor dark inclusions. Quartz-rich material has Mohs hardness about 7, no cleavage, conchoidal to irregular fracture, and specific gravity near 2.65; the apparent pits may reflect weathering or polishing.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Polished/tumbled pale gray stone, likely quartz-rich river pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Pale gray-white, waxy to dull luster, rounded and smoothly abraded surface with minor dark inclusions. Quartz-rich material has Mohs hardness about 7, no cleavage, conchoidal to irregular fracture, and specific gravity near 2.65; the apparent pits may reflect weathering or polishing.
Formation & geological history
Likely a naturally water-worn pebble derived from quartzite or silica-rich igneous rock; its precise geological age and source cannot be determined visually. River transport rounded the specimen, with later polishing or surface wear possible.
Uses & applications
Suitable as a decorative stone, pocket specimen, landscaping pebble, or craft material; quartzite may also be used as aggregate and dimension stone. It has little jewelry value unless it displays attractive translucency or patterning.
Geological facts
The image does not show diagnostic crystals, bedding, or fossils, so a precise identification is not reliable from appearance alone. A steel file should not scratch quartz-rich material; streak is generally white.
Field identification & locations
Common in river gravels worldwide, especially regions with quartz veins and metamorphic rocks. Test hardness, streak, acid reaction, and specific gravity; magnification may reveal quartz grains or a sugary quartzite texture.
