metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown with white quartz vein, Luster: dull to vitreous, Structure: non-foliated granular, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown with white quartz vein, Luster: dull to vitreous, Structure: non-foliated granular, Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, often found in riverbeds or coastal areas as water-worn pebbles.
Uses & applications
Landscaping, construction aggregate, and as a decorative river stone. Rounded pebbles are popular for 'worry stones'.
Geological facts
The white line visible is a quartz vein, formed when silica-rich fluids filled a fracture in the original rock and crystallized. Quartzite is tougher than its parent sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of visible grains compared to sandstone. Commonly found in glacial deposits and river systems.
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