metamorphic

Quartz-veined Granite or Gneiss Pebble

Silicate-rich metamorphic rock fragment

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale due to quartz content; mottled grey, white, and pinkish coloration; vitreous luster on the quartz veins; cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline structure with distinct banding or veining.

Identified August 2, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's crust, subsequently weathered, transported by water or glacial action, and smoothed into a rounded pebble by wave action on a beach.

Uses & applications

Primarily of interest to beachcombers and rock collectors as a decorative specimen or pocket stone.

Geological facts

Water-worn pebbles like this often showcase contrasting mineral bands, where harder minerals like quartz survive erosion better than surrounding feldspars or micas.

Field identification & locations

Found commonly in coastal areas, riverbeds, and glacial tills; identifiable by its high hardness (scratches glass) and distinctive interlocking crystalline veins.