metamorphic
Rounded light-gray pebble, likely quartzite
Quartzite, composed predominantly of quartz (SiO₂); identification from the photo is tentative
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale gray-white, dull to slightly sugary surface, massive with no obvious layering or cleavage; quartz hardness is 7 Mohs and specific gravity about 2.65.
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Physical properties
Pale gray-white, dull to slightly sugary surface, massive with no obvious layering or cleavage; quartz hardness is 7 Mohs and specific gravity about 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Quartzite forms when quartz-rich sandstone is buried and recrystallized by heat and pressure. It occurs in rocks of many ages; the pebble’s age and source cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Quartzite is used as crushed stone, building and paving material, and decorative stone; this small pebble is mainly suitable for collecting or landscaping.
Geological facts
Its rounded shape and smooth surface suggest abrasion during transport by water or ice, but do not establish its original source rock.
Field identification & locations
Look for a hard, quartz-rich rock with interlocking grains; it should resist scratching by a steel nail. Similar pale pebbles can also be quartz or other rocks, so a close-up or hardness test would help distinguish them.
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