Types of pebbles
Pebbles can be divided into the following main types according to different classification standards (such as composition, color, shape, origin, etc.):
1. Classification by composition
Quartz pebbles: The main component is silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with hard texture and smooth surface, commonly found in riverbeds.
Feldspar pebbles: With feldspar as the main component, soft texture and various colors.
Mixed pebbles: Formed by a mixture of various minerals (such as silicon dioxide, iron oxide, manganese, etc.), with rich colors.
Calcium carbonate pebbles (such as white jade in Dandong, Liaoning): The main component is calcium carbonate, with fine texture, mostly used for decoration.
2. Classification by color
Single color system: such as pure black (Laibin, Guangxi), pure white (Dandong, Liaoning), red (Chengdu, Sichuan), yellow (Jiangxi), etc.
Variegated color system: such as the rain flower stone in Nanjing, colorful and highly translucent.
3. Classification by shape
Round/oval: the most common, mostly used in garden landscape.
Long/irregular: suitable for interior decoration or landscaping.
Special form: such as Yangjiang's small yellow wax stone, which is egg-shaped and brittle.
4. Classification by origin and characteristics
Laibin cobblestone in Guangxi: pure black, uniform and round, mostly used in engineering landscape.
Chengdu cobblestone in Sichuan: mainly red, green and cyan, with bright colors and difficult to mine.
Nanjing Yuhua Stone: crystal clear, with oily surface, often used for collection or decoration.
Shaoguan cobblestone in Guangdong: low price, mostly used in construction or paving.
5. Classification by use
Construction cobblestone: such as machine-made cobblestone, dry sticky stone, etc., used for paving or building materials.
Decorative cobblestone: such as Yuhua stone and cultural stone, used in gardens or homes. Summary: The diversity of pebbles comes from their composition, formation environment and processing methods. Different types have their own characteristics in hardness, color and use.