metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: White to tan/light beige; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to river or beach tumbling; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White to tan/light beige
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull/waxy
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 (Mohs scale); Color: White to tan/light beige; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to river or beach tumbling; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped by fluvial or coastal erosion, resulting in its smooth, rounded 'pebble' form.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, road construction (as crushed stone), in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, and as decorative river stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock during erosion, which is why it is frequently found as rounded pebbles in streambeds and on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along coastlines globally.
