metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, translucent white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan, beige, translucent white
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, translucent white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, often found as water-worn cobbles in riverbeds or glacial deposits.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, in glass manufacturing if pure, and as decorative stone in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks through the quartz grains rather than around them. It is one of the most durable rocks on Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of reaction to acid. Often found in riverbeds as smooth, rounded 'river stones'.
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