metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light tan with occasional yellow staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to light tan with occasional yellow staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light tan with occasional yellow staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events (orogeny). This specimen has been smoothed and rounded through long-term water erosion on a beach or riverbed.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative landscape stone, in aquarium substrate, as road ballast, and in the manufacturing of glass or ceramics if high purity is present. Also popular as 'pocket stones' for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, which is why it frequently appears as well-rounded pebbles on beaches. It is one of the most durable and weather-resistant rocks on the Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its sugary, granular appearance when broken. These are commonly found on high-energy coastlines and glacial till deposits.
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