metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White, gray, or tan with dark inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White, gray, or tan with dark inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specimen has been further shaped into a rounded pebble by water erosion in a fluvial or glacial environment.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in construction aggregates, or as tumbled stones for hobbyists.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it often survives multiple cycles of erosion and deposition, outlasting the softer rocks around it.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and its sugary, granular texture when viewed closely. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
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