metamorphic
Rounded quartz-rich pebble, likely quartzite
Quartzite (predominantly SiO₂); identification is visual and not definitive
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCream, tan, and gray with a coarse, sugary-to-waxy luster and rounded, water-worn shape. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs; quartzite has interlocking quartz grains and no distinct cleavage, with specific gravity around 2.6–2.7.
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Physical properties
Cream, tan, and gray with a coarse, sugary-to-waxy luster and rounded, water-worn shape. Quartz hardness is 7 Mohs; quartzite has interlocking quartz grains and no distinct cleavage, with specific gravity around 2.6–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Likely formed when quartz sandstone was metamorphosed and recrystallized, then eroded and rounded in a stream or shoreline. Its age cannot be determined from the image.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as landscaping stone, aggregate, and decorative material; attractive pieces may be kept as collectibles.
Geological facts
Quartzite is generally tougher than its sandstone precursor because quartz grains are fused together during metamorphism.
Field identification & locations
Look for a hard, quartz-rich pebble that resists scratching by a steel blade and often shows interlocking grains; similar pebbles occur in riverbeds and gravel deposits worldwide.
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