metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic rock primarily composed of Quartz (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or off-white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, or off-white
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite Pebble 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, or off-white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific rounded shape indicates long-term water erosion in a riverbed or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative garden stones, in road construction (ballast), and as a raw material for glass making or silicon production.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, remaining as pebbles and boulders long after other rocks have worn away. It is harder than a steel knife.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along beaches globally.
More like this
