metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, or white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated, granular; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7. It is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan, beige, or white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, or white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated, granular; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7. It is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This transformation fuses the sand grains together into a solid network of quartz crystals. They are commonly found in ancient mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative landscape stone (river rock), in construction as crushed stone for road ballast, and historically for stone tools due to its hardness and conchoidal fracture.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass. It is often more resistant to weathering than the surrounding rock, leading it to form prominent ridges and hills in certain geological landscapes.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel nail) and its granular, sugary appearance when broken. These water-worn pebbles are common in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along coastlines.
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