metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, or white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events. These pebbles are often rounded by fluvial or glacial transport.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as construction aggregate, decorative landscaping stone, and in some industrial glass manufacturing when pure.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, leading to the formation of rounded high-silica pebbles found in riverbeds and on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and its granular, sugary texture. It is extremely common in glaciated regions and river valleys globally.
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