metamorphic

Weathered quartz-rich pebble (probable quartzite or quartz vein fragment)

Quartzite, predominantly silicon dioxide (SiO₂); exact identification is uncertain from the photograph

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to pale gray, dull-to-waxy luster, fine granular texture, and rounded weathered form; quartz hardness is about Mohs 7, with no obvious cleavage and conchoidal-to-uneven fracture.

Identified August 11, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Weathered quartz-rich pebble (probable quartzite or quartz vein fragment) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

At a glance

Common name: Weathered quartz-rich pebble (probable quartzite or quartz vein fragment)
Scientific name: Quartzite, predominantly silicon dioxide (SiO₂); exact identification is uncertain from the photograph
Category: metamorphic
Identified: August 11, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

$0-$5 as an ordinary pebble; roughly $5-$20 if unusually attractive, locality-specific, or sold as a labeled geological specimen.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

White to pale gray, dull-to-waxy luster, fine granular texture, and rounded weathered form; quartz hardness is about Mohs 7, with no obvious cleavage and conchoidal-to-uneven fracture.

Formation & geological history

Likely derived from erosion of quartzite or a quartz vein, then naturally rounded by stream or shoreline transport; its original formation may date from Precambrian to younger regional bedrock, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Common specimens have little commercial value; quartzite is used as crushed aggregate, road stone, building stone, and occasionally as a decorative material.

Geological facts

The tan or brown markings may be iron-oxide staining or attached weathering residue. A steel knife should not scratch it, while quartz or glass can scratch it.

Field identification & locations

Look for uniformly hard, quartz-granular texture and resistance to scratching; vinegar will not visibly react. Common worldwide in gravel beds, stream channels, beaches, and quartz-bearing terrains.