metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, beige, or white with iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Granoblastic. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, or white with iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Tan, beige, or white with iron staining. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Granoblastic. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events. This specific specimen has been further shaped and rounded by river or glacial erosion.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as construction aggregate, railway ballast, landscaping stone, and occasionally as a source of silica for glass making.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock layers during weathering, frequently appearing as resistant ridges or rounded river cobbles.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and its grainy, sugary texture under a lens. It is found globally in areas with historic metamorphic activity.
