metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (Silicon Dioxide: SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Greyish-tan with white crystalline streaks. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Greyish-tan with white crystalline streaks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Greyish-tan with white crystalline streaks. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: None. Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to heat and pressure during regional metamorphism. This specimen has been rounded by fluvial or tidal water erosion.
Uses & applications
Used in construction aggregate, as a decorative stone in landscaping, or for high-silica industrial applications.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the caps of ridges and mountains, surviving erosion for millions of years longer than surrounding rock.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (it can scratch glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and mountainous regions worldwide.
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