metamorphic

Small cream-colored pebble, likely quartzite

Quartzite, composed mainly of quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, rounded, opaque cream-white pebble with a dull to slightly waxy luster; quartz hardness is 7 Mohs, and quartzite has no cleavage and a granular texture. Identification is uncertain from the image alone.

Identified October 6, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartzite forms when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized by heat and pressure during metamorphism; its age depends on the source rock and metamorphic event.

Uses & applications

Small pebbles are used for landscaping, crafts, and collecting; quartzite is also quarried as building and decorative stone.

Geological facts

Quartzite is exceptionally resistant to weathering, so it often persists as rounded pebbles in streams and on beaches.

Field identification & locations

A hard pebble that resists scratching by a steel knife and shows fused-looking quartz grains may be quartzite; similar-looking stones include chert and marble. Quartzite occurs worldwide in metamorphic terrains and derived river or beach deposits.