metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light grey; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granoblastic, non-foliated; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to light grey
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light grey; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granoblastic, non-foliated; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to heat and pressure during regional metamorphism. This specimen has been rounded by fluvial or marine water erosion into a smooth pebble.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as railway ballast, as a decorative garden stone, and as a source of silica for glass manufacturing. Smooth pebbles are often used in landscaping or aquariums.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and steel. It is more durable than its parent rock, sandstone, and is resistant to chemical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (ability to scratch glass) and its crystalline, sugary texture on fresh surfaces. Often found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and along coastlines.
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