metamorphic
River Pebble (likely Quartzite or Basalt)
Quartzite (SiO2 as primary mineral)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grey with white quartz veining; Luster: Dull/earthy (weathered surface); Texture: Fine-grained and water-worn; SG: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grey with white quartz veining
- Luster
- Dull/earthy (weathered surface)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grey with white quartz veining; Luster: Dull/earthy (weathered surface); Texture: Fine-grained and water-worn; SG: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed via the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The rounded shape is the result of mechanical erosion in a high-energy water environment (river or beach) over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone, drainage material, or as a pocket stone/worry stone for collectors. Industrially, crushed quartzite is used in road construction and glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
River pebbles like this one are nature's tumblers; the smooth, oval shape is a record of the stone traveling miles downstream, colliding with other rocks to wear away sharp edges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its rounded 'ovoid' shape, smooth texture, and white quartz veins cutting through the darker matrix. Found globally in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and coastal beaches.
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