Quartzite Pebble

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Creamy white to light tan, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically found in ancient mountain belts. This specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water action in a river or beach environment.

Commonly used as decorative landscaping stones, road gravel, and as a source of silica in glass manufacturing. Smooth pebbles like this are popular in aquarium decor and Zen gardens.

Quartzite is so hard that it can scratch glass and steel. It is one of the most durable rocks on Earth, which is why it often survives as a pebble long after softer rocks have eroded away.

Identified by its sugary texture and extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a knife). Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and along coastal beaches. Collectors value smooth, symmetrical specimens for aesthetic displays.