metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to pale orange/yellow; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Structure: non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- white to pale orange/yellow
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to pale orange/yellow; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Structure: non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often in orogenic belts. This specific specimen has been water-worn into a smooth pebble shape.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, in glass manufacturing, and as decorative landscaping stones or river rocks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks through the individual quartz grains rather than around them. It is one of the most durable rocks on the Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its sugary/granular texture under a lens. Common in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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