metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors typically range from white to gray or pink with a vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, and lacks distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors typically range from white to gray or pink with a vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, and lacks distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert that has been subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during regional metamorphism associated with mountain building processes.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as road aggregate, railroad ballast, and sometimes in decorative landscaping or as a tumbling stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as pebbles in riverbeds and beaches long after other rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of effervescence with acid, and the way it breaks across quartz grains rather than around them.
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