metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellow to honey-gold, Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellow to honey-gold, Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when river-worn), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. Most quartzite dates back hundred of millions of years and is common in mountain belts and river beds.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative landscaping stone, crushed for construction aggregate, used in tile manufacturing, and occasionally used for lapidary work or as talismans.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding mountain ranges it formed in. To tell it apart from quartz, look at the grain structure; quartzite breaks through the sand grains rather than around them.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its non-foliated, granular texture. Commonly found in riverbeds and mountainous terrain. Collectors should look for unique banding or translucency.
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