Quartz (Quartzite Pebble)

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to translucent grey; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Hexagonal crystal system but often massive/granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & Geological History

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize the sand grains into a dense, interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals.

Uses & Applications

Used in construction as crushed stone, in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, and frequently as decorative landscaping stone or tumbled pocket stones.

Geological Facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Quartzite is so durable that it frequently outlasts the mountains it was formed in, becoming rounded pebbles in riverbeds.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and mountainous regions worldwide.

Identified on: 4/20/2026

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