metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors typically range from white to gray, pink, or light brown, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors typically range from white to gray, pink, or light brown, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically through regional metamorphism. Geological age varies widely depending on the formation site, ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, crushed stone for roads, and occasionally as decorative stone or in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz sandstone-derived pebbles survive long journeys in rivers and streams to become smooth, rounded pebbles.
Field identification & locations
Found globally in ancient metamorphic belts and river beds. It can be identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife, lack of effervescence with acid, and the fused quartz grains visible under a hand lens.
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