metamorphic
Weathered quartzite pebble
Quartzite, composed predominantly of SiO₂ (quartz)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectOpaque tan-orange, rounded pebble with a dull to slightly vitreous surface; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and an interlocking crystalline texture. Iron-oxide staining likely gives it the warm color; exact identification is uncertain from the image alone.
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Physical properties
Opaque tan-orange, rounded pebble with a dull to slightly vitreous surface; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and an interlocking crystalline texture. Iron-oxide staining likely gives it the warm color; exact identification is uncertain from the image alone.
Formation & geological history
Forms when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized by heat and pressure, welding quartz grains together. Its age depends on the source formation; the pebble was likely rounded by stream or beach transport.
Uses & applications
Quartzite is used as construction aggregate, paving and decorative stone; small pebbles are mainly collected or used in landscaping.
Geological facts
A typical quartzite resists scratching by glass and breaks across grains rather than around them.
Field identification & locations
Look for a hard, quartz-rich stone with a sugary or fused-grain texture and no obvious layering; common in river gravels and beaches worldwide. A single small, common pebble has little specimen value.
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