metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan; Luster: Dull to waxy when weathered; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal microcrystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Off-white, yellowish-tan
- Luster
- Dull to waxy when weathered
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Off-white, yellowish-tan; Luster: Dull to waxy when weathered; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal microcrystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water transport in a river or beach environment.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in construction aggregate, or as high-silica raw material for glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the mountain ranges it formed in, ending up as pebbles in rivers millions of years later. It is harder than steel.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Often found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and along coastlines.
