metamorphic
Rounded quartz-rich pebble, likely quartzite
Quartzite (predominantly silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPale gray to off-white, dull to slightly glassy; quartz grains appear fused. Mohs hardness about 7, no prominent cleavage, irregular fracture; exact identification is uncertain from the photograph.
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Physical properties
Pale gray to off-white, dull to slightly glassy; quartz grains appear fused. Mohs hardness about 7, no prominent cleavage, irregular fracture; exact identification is uncertain from the photograph.
Formation & geological history
Quartz-rich sandstone recrystallized under heat and pressure, then rounded by water or abrasion. Its age and original formation setting cannot be determined from appearance alone.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as landscaping stone, aggregate, and decorative material; this small pebble has modest collecting value.
Geological facts
Quartzite can resemble quartz-rich sandstone, but its grains are tightly interlocked and it is generally harder than glass.
Field identification & locations
A rounded shape suggests transport in a stream, surf, or sediment. Look for a hard, gritty-to-glassy surface and fused quartz grains; common worldwide in river and beach deposits.
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