metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic quartz arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, earthy brown to grey color, dull to vitreous luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure, and specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, earthy brown to grey color, dull to vitreous luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure, and specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal or regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction, aggregate materials, railway ballast, and occasionally for decorative landscaping or stone-working.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and chemical erosion, which is why quartz sandstone weathers into durable, rounded pebbles in rivers and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife, lack of effervescence with acid, and a sugary texture on broken surfaces. Found worldwide in ancient orogenic belts.
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