metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Meta-quartzite
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-grey to lavender; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-grey to lavender
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-grey to lavender; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, often during mountain-building events. This specific specimen has been rounded by fluvial (water) erosion.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone (river rock), railway ballast, or in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics due to high silica content.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, often forming the caps of ridges. It is often mistake for marble, but unlike marble, it will not fizz with acid.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (it will scratch glass) and its sugary/granular texture. Commonly found in river beds, glacial till, and ancient mountain belts.
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