metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble (River Rock)
Quartzite (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, beige, brown with reddish/brownish iron oxide veining/band. Luster: Dull to waxy/smooth. Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline granular quartz matrix. Cleavage: None.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Dull to waxy/smooth
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite Pebble (River Rock) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, beige, brown with reddish/brownish iron oxide veining/band. Luster: Dull to waxy/smooth. Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline granular quartz matrix. Cleavage: None.
Formation & geological history
Formed via metamorphic recrystallization of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. Smooth, rounded pebble shape results from long-term fluvial or beach erosion.
Uses & applications
Landscaping, decorative river stone, craft painting, gravel aggregate.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it resists weathering better than almost any other common rock type, often surviving as river cobbles long after surrounding rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identified by high hardness (scratches glass easily), smooth rounded shape, fine-grained sugary texture, and dark iron oxide mineral veining. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and alluvial deposits globally.
More like this
