metamorphic
Quartzite Beach Pebble
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: reddish-brown with white quartz veins; Luster: waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: granular, non-foliated; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- reddish-brown with white quartz veins
- Luster
- waxy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: reddish-brown with white quartz veins; Luster: waxy to vitreous; Crystal structure: granular, non-foliated; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during tectonic mountain-building events. This specimen has been further shaped and polished by wave action on a beach.
Uses & applications
Commonly used for landscaping, decorative gravel, and construction aggregate; highly polished specimens are used in lapidary work and as pocket stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it often outlasts the mountain ranges from which it originated, frequently being found as rounded cobbles in riverbeds and on coastlines far from its source rock.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (can scratch glass) and lack of visible grains compared to sandstone. Look for smooth, water-worn textures and internal fractures or veins. Commonly found on high-energy beaches.
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