metamorphic

Rounded brown pebble, likely quartzite

Quartzite (predominantly interlocking quartz, SiO₂); identification is tentative from the photo

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, water-worn oval with a fine-grained tan-brown surface and dull to slightly silky luster. Quartzite is typically Mohs 7, with no cleavage and a granular crystalline texture; the image does not show grains clearly enough to confirm it.

Identified September 26, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely a naturally rounded river or stream pebble, derived from quartz-rich rock; quartzite forms when sandstone is metamorphosed. Its age and exact formation environment cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

As pictured, mainly a decorative or collecting pebble; quartzite is also used as aggregate, paving, and building stone.

Geological facts

A pebble’s smooth shape records abrasion during transport, but does not by itself identify its mineral composition.

Field identification & locations

The reported location in eastern Ethiopia is compatible with varied regional rocks, but is not enough to establish provenance. Check for a glassy, sugary fracture and scratch resistance; a steel knife should not readily scratch quartzite. A fine-grained volcanic pebble is another possibility.