metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: tan, white, or yellowish; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Texture: granular but smooth from water erosion; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline)
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- tan, white, or yellowish
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: tan, white, or yellowish; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Texture: granular but smooth from water erosion; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped by fluvial or coastal wave action into a rounded beach stone.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, in landscaping, and occasionally for lapidary work as 'river rocks'. Due to its hardness, it is also used as an abrasive.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives the intense weathering that destroys other rocks. It is harder than a steel knife and will easily scratch glass. This piece shows a small dark inclusion, likely an iron-oxide or mica mineral mineral grain trapped during formation.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel blade and its granular appearance under a lens. Found globally in coastal environments and riverbeds. For collectors, look for high silica content and smooth, symmetrical 'worry stone' shapes.
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