sedimentary

Weathered quartz-rich river pebble

Quartz-rich lithic clast, likely quartzite or quartz-veined rock; exact identification requires examination

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Rounded, water-worn pebble with a tan-brown fine-grained exterior and a pale, iron-stained quartz-rich patch. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7 and vitreous luster; the host rock’s hardness and composition are uncertain from the image.

Identified October 11, 2026More sedimentary →

Explore Weathered quartz-rich river pebble in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely detached from an older rock and rounded by stream or beach transport; quartzite, if present, formed when sandstone was metamorphosed. Its geological age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Primarily a collecting or decorative pebble; quartz-rich stone may also be used as aggregate or landscaping material.

Geological facts

The rusty yellow-brown color is consistent with iron-oxide staining, while the lighter area may be exposed quartz or a quartz-rich vein.

Field identification & locations

Look for hardness, grain texture, and a glassy or sugary quartz surface; the rounded shape suggests transport by water. Quartz-rich pebbles occur in riverbeds and beaches worldwide.