metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Light gray to white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granoblastic (interlocking crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Light gray to white
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Light gray to white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granoblastic (interlocking crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The pebble shown has been further shaped and smoothed by water erosion in a beach or river environment.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative garden stones, in construction as crushed stone for road ballast, and historically for stone tools due to its hardness and durability.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock during erosion, which is why it is frequently found as rounded pebbles on beaches or in stream beds.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture that does not rub off. It is commonly found globally in mountain ranges and coastal areas.
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