metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Color ranges from white to yellow, orange, or brown. Luster is vitreous to greasy. Granular texture, breaking across grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Color ranges from white to yellow, orange, or brown. Luster is vitreous to greasy. Granular texture, breaking across grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone. Found in areas of past tectonic activity and frequently found as rounded river rocks or glacial till due to its hardness.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as decorative stone, and as railroad ballast. Small pieces are sometimes tumbled by collectors.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often forms ridges and mountaintops because it resists weathering better than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass) and granular texture where fractures break through the quartz grains rather than around them. Often found in riverbeds and gravel deposits.
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