metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Meta-quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, and white with reddish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Macro-crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan, beige, and white with reddish iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, and white with reddish iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Macro-crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize quartz grains into a dense, interlocking mosaic of crystals.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as construction aggregate, railway ballast, road metal, and occasionally for decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often survives intense weathering processes that destroy other rock types, leading to rounded pebbles like this one in riverbeds.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its grainy, crystalline texture that sparkles in direct light. Usually found in mountainous regions or glacial deposits.
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