metamorphic

Rounded quartz-rich pebble, likely quartzite

Quartzite, composed predominantly of quartz (SiO₂); exact identification is uncertain from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Small, rounded, pale pink-tan pebble with a fine, granular surface and no obvious cleavage; quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and a vitreous to dull luster. Quartzite is typically dense, with interlocking quartz grains.

Identified September 27, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when quartz sandstone was recrystallized under heat and pressure, then weathered and rounded during transport by water. Its age and precise source cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Quartzite is used as crushed stone, construction aggregate, paving, and decorative stone; this pebble is chiefly suitable for collecting or landscaping.

Geological facts

Quartzite can be mistaken for quartz-rich sandstone, but its grains are fused together and it tends to fracture through grains rather than around them.

Field identification & locations

Look for a hard, gritty-looking surface and test whether it scratches glass; common sources include stream beds and eroded quartz-rich bedrock. A photo alone cannot confirm quartzite versus another quartz-rich rock.