metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: milky white to tan/yellow with iron oxide staining; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Texture: granular but smooth from water erosion; Structure: non-foliated crystalline.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- milky white to tan/yellow with iron oxide staining
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: milky white to tan/yellow with iron oxide staining; Luster: vitreous to waxy; Texture: granular but smooth from water erosion; Structure: non-foliated crystalline.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. This specific piece has been rounded into a pebble through hydration and mechanical weathering in a river or high-energy water environment.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, in landscaping, and occasionally for lapidary work. It can also be a source of silica in glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the sedimentary rocks surrounding it, ending up as resilient river stones like this one. It will scratch glass easily, which helps distinguish it from softer calcite-based rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it won't be scratched by a steel knife) and its grainy, sugary look transition. It is found globally in mountainous regions and riverbeds.
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