metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Creamy white to light brown with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull when weathered; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Grain: Interlocking crystalline; Cleavage: None
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Creamy white to light brown with iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull when weathered
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Creamy white to light brown with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull when weathered; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Grain: Interlocking crystalline; Cleavage: None
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize the quartz grains into a dense, interlocking matrix. This specific specimen has been rounded by fluvial processes (river or water erosion).
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, in glassmaking due to high silica content, and as decorative river stones in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding softer rocks, leading to the formation of prominent ridges and peaks in mountainous terrain. It is more durable than many other natural stones.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its tendency to break across quartz grains rather than around them. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and folded mountain belts.
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