metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors vary widely but often range from white to gray, pink, or reddish due to iron oxide impurities (as seen here). Luster is vitreous to grainy. Has a massive, granular texture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors vary widely but often range from white to gray, pink, or reddish due to iron oxide impurities (as seen here). Luster is vitreous to grainy. Has a massive, granular texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically in tectonic zones. This specific specimen has been further rounded and smoothed by water action, likely in a river or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, and decorative stone. Sometimes used for making silica bricks or in glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded cobbles and pebbles in riverbeds long after softer rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass easily), granular appearance, and sugary texture on fresh breaks (though this one is water-worn). Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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