metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: brownish-orange to tan, Luster: vitreous to grainy, Crystal structure: massive (interlocking quartz grains), Cleavage: none (fractures conchoidally to granular)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: brownish-orange to tan, Luster: vitreous to grainy, Crystal structure: massive (interlocking quartz grains), Cleavage: none (fractures conchoidally to granular)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. The original sand grains recrystalize under heat and pressure, fusing together. This specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water transport (fluvial or coastal action).
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as decorative stone, railway ballast, and in the production of silica for various industrial applications. Often collected as a decorative landscape pebble.
Geological facts
Quartzite is highly resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded river pebbles long after softer rocks have eroded away. The brownish color in this specimen is likely due to iron oxide staining.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), grainy but fused texture, and lack of fizz when tested with acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
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