metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to iron-stained yellow/brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan to iron-stained yellow/brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan to iron-stained yellow/brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often found as water-worn pebbles in riverbeds or glacial deposits.
Uses & applications
Mainly used as construction aggregate, railway ballast, and occasionally for lapidary tumbling or 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 hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and the grainy texture of the original sandstone visible under the surface. Commonly found in riverbeds and coastal regions.
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