sedimentary

Rounded quartz-rich pebble

Likely quartzite or fine-grained quartz sandstone; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Cream-white, opaque, smoothly water-worn, with a matte to slightly waxy luster and granular texture. Likely hardness about 6.5–7 Mohs; no visible cleavage, low porosity, and moderate specific gravity near 2.6.

Identified August 26, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Probably formed from quartz-rich sedimentary material that was cemented or metamorphosed, then rounded by stream or beach transport. Its precise geological age and source cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Commonly collected as a curiosity, craft stone, or landscaping pebble; unsuitable for precise gemstone valuation without testing. Quartzite may be used as aggregate, paving, or building stone.

Geological facts

The rounded outline indicates prolonged abrasion by water or sediment. A steel file should not scratch quartzite, while a glass plate may be scratched by its surface.

Field identification & locations

Look for gritty quartz grains, absence of fizz with dilute hydrochloric acid, and hardness greater than ordinary limestone; a streak test is generally white. Common in riverbeds, beaches, glacial deposits, and gravel fields worldwide.