metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphosed quartz sandstone (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white, gray, or pinkish with visible interlocking quartz grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white, gray, or pinkish with visible interlocking quartz grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal or regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high temperatures and pressures, often dating back millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, crushed stone for road aggregates, and occasionally as a decorative landscape or lapidary stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely weather-resistant, which is why quartz-rich pebbles survive long journeys in riverbeds and coastal environments without breaking down.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide in mountainous regions and ancient river terraces; identified easily by its extreme hardness, which scratches glass easily, and lack of reaction to acid.
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