metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Metamorphic rock dominated by SiO2 (Quartz)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/yellowish-brown; Luster: Dull to slightly waxy; Texture: Granular, sugary appearance where fractured; Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan/yellowish-brown
- Luster
- Dull to slightly waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/yellowish-brown; Luster: Dull to slightly waxy; Texture: Granular, sugary appearance where fractured; Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The pebble shape indicates it was later eroded and smoothed by water transport in a river or stream bed.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone or construction aggregate. High-purity quartzite is used in the glass and metallurgy industries.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most durable rocks on Earth's surface. This specimen's location near Sao Paulo (23.5S, 46.6W) aligns with the regional geology of the Serra do Mar, which contains extensive metamorphic complexes including quartzites and gneisses.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its granular texture. It will not react to acid (unlike limestone). Extremely common in high-energy river systems in Brazil.
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