metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/Brown/Beige; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan/Brown/Beige
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/Brown/Beige; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. It is often found in riverbeds or landscaping gravel where it has been rounded by erosion.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as railway ballast, and in crushed form for road gravel or industrial silica source. Common in landscaping rock mixtures.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense weathering better than the surrounding rocks, which is why individual pebbles like this can be found far from their original source.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its granular, sugary texture when broken. Commonly found in alluvial deposits or as garden mulch.
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