metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-white, translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-white, translucent
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-white, translucent; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, causing the sand grains to recrystallize and fuse together into a dense, hard rock.
Uses & applications
Used frequently as decor in landscapes, high-quality crushed stone for construction, and occasionally for lapidary work or as river stones for collecting.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, which is why it is commonly found as rounded pebbles in riverbeds or beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its grainy but fused texture. Commonly found in areas with ancient mountain ranges or river deposits.
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