metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Off-white to light tan. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: Indistinct. Texture: Smooth, water-worn, and rounded.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Off-white to light tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Off-white to light tan. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: Indistinct. Texture: Smooth, water-worn, and rounded.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been rounded by mechanical erosion in a fluvial or beach environment.
Uses & applications
Quartzite is used in construction as crushed stone, in glassmaking, and high-quality pebbles are often used for decorative purposes in landscaping or as tumbling media.
Geological facts
Quartzite is often harder and more durable than the sandstone from which it originated, making it highly resistant to chemical and physical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Look for the lack of visible grains (unlike sandstone) and the inability of a steel knife to scratch it. It is commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountain ranges where ancient sedimentary rock has been subjected to tectonic forces.
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