metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble (or Quartz Pebble)
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan to brownish-beige; Luster: waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline interlocked grains); Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- yellowish-tan to brownish-beige
- Luster
- waxy to vitreous
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan to brownish-beige; Luster: waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline interlocked grains); Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under extreme heat and pressure, recrystallizing quartz grains into a dense rock matrix. Water-worn and rounded through stream, river, or coastal erosion.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as construction aggregate, decorative landscaping stone, rock tumbling, and educational geological specimens.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering. Water-smoothed quartz and quartzite pebbles are among the most widespread gravel components worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its ability to easily scratch glass (Mohs 7), sugary or interlocking granoblastic texture, and smooth, water-worn exterior. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and beaches.
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