metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness (Mohs): 7. Color: Yellowish-tan with translucent patches. Luster: Vitreous when wet or polished. Structure: Granular/Massive. Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Color
- Yellowish-tan with translucent patches
- Luster
- Vitreous when wet or polished
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Physical properties
Hardness (Mohs): 7. Color: Yellowish-tan with translucent patches. Luster: Vitreous when wet or polished. Structure: Granular/Massive. Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. Most are found in Precambrian to Paleozoic rock formations, later smoothed by river or glacial erosion.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as crushed stone, and occasionally in glass manufacturing if highly pure. Smooth river pebbles are popular for rock tumbling and crafts.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives the weathering process much longer than surrounding rocks, ending up as rounded pebbles in riverbeds and on beaches millions of years after its initial formation.
Field identification & locations
Look for a stone that is harder than glass and does not fizz with acid. River-rounded quartzite often has a waxy feel and breaks across the grain rather than around it like sandstone.
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