metamorphic
Quartz (Yellow/Tan Quartzite Pebble)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to yellowish-brown due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when wet/polished); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to yellowish-brown due to iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy (when wet/polished)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to yellowish-brown due to iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when wet/polished); Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often subsequently eroded and rounded by water transport in riverbeds or coastal environments.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, construction aggregates, and occasionally as decorative stones or tumbled pocket stones.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. This specific specimen shows 'iron staining,' where surface minerals have oxidized to create the yellow-brown hue.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of cleavage. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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