metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: tan, white, buff, and light brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- tan, white, buff, and light brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: tan, white, buff, and light brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specimen shows water-worn rounding, likely from a fluvial (river) or glacial environment.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction as crushed stone, railway ballast, and in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics due to high silica content. Small pebbles are often used in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even high-quality steel. In areas with high quartzite concentrations, the rock forms jagged ridges because it is highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch a knife blade), its granular 'sugary' texture on fresh breaks, and its lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and mountainous regions worldwide.
More like this
