metamorphic

Rounded orange-brown pebble (likely iron-stained quartzite)

Quartz-rich quartzite; exact identification is uncertain from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Fine-grained, rounded, and matte to slightly sugary; likely mostly quartz (Mohs 7) with iron-oxide staining. Crystal structure is microscopic/interlocking, with no obvious cleavage; density and hardness cannot be confirmed visually.

Identified September 26, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

If quartzite, it formed when quartz-rich sandstone was recrystallized under heat and pressure; iron oxides produced the orange-brown color. Its age and source cannot be determined from the photograph; rounding suggests transport by water or abrasion.

Uses & applications

A small pebble may be kept as a pocket or educational specimen; quartzite is also used as aggregate, paving, and decorative stone.

Geological facts

The smooth shape likely reflects prolonged abrasion. A scratch test on an inconspicuous spot can help distinguish hard quartzite from softer sedimentary pebbles.

Field identification & locations

Look for a uniformly granular, quartz-rich texture and resistance to scratching by a steel blade; a fresh broken surface is more diagnostic than the rounded exterior. Quartzite occurs worldwide, especially in mountain belts and river or beach gravels.