metamorphic
River Pebble (likely Quartzite or Diorite)
Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Rock / Intermediate Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: speckled grey and white, Luster: dull/earthy due to weathering, Structure: granular, non-foliated or weakly foliated.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: speckled grey and white, Luster: dull/earthy due to weathering, Structure: granular, non-foliated or weakly foliated.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of sandstone (quartzite) or the cooling of silica-rich magma (diorite). This specimen has been rounded by fluvial erosion in a river or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in landscaping, construction aggregate, and as decorative stone for gardens or fish tanks.
Geological facts
River pebbles are geological travelers; their rounded shape is a record of miles traveled during which sharp edges were ground down by water and other stones.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its smooth, rounded 'potato' shape and salt-and-pepper speckled appearance. Common in riverbeds, glacial tills, and beaches worldwide.
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