metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white, grey, or yellowish due to iron staining; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Structure: granular, non-foliated crystalline; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- white, grey, or yellowish due to iron staining
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white, grey, or yellowish due to iron staining; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Structure: granular, non-foliated crystalline; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen is a river-rounded pebble likely from a quaternary alluvial deposit.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, in glass manufacturing if pure, and as decorative gravel in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it can outlast the mountains it formed in, often surviving as rounded river cobbles across much younger geological terrains.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to easily scratch glass and its lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and beaches. Look for a sugary texture on fresh breaks.
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