metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan due to iron staining; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: granular/crystalline texture; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- yellowish-tan due to iron staining
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan due to iron staining; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: granular/crystalline texture; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often within orogenic (mountain-building) belts. This specific specimen has been rounded by river or glacial transport.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as decorative landscaping rock, aggregate in construction, and in some industrial glass-making processes if high purity is present.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it often survives long-distance transport in rivers and glaciers better than the rocks it originated from. It will scratch glass easily.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its extreme hardness and sugary, crystalline appearance on fresh breaks. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial till.
