metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, pale tan/beige color, dull to sub-vitreous luster, microcrystalline quartz structure, conchoidal to uneven fracture, specific gravity around 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, pale tan/beige color, dull to sub-vitreous luster, microcrystalline quartz structure, conchoidal to uneven fracture, specific gravity around 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone undergoes intense heat, pressure, and chemical activity during regional metamorphism, fusing quartz grains together securely.
Uses & applications
Used widely as construction aggregate, railway ballast, landscaping gravel, and decorative stone due to its extreme durability and weather resistance.
Geological facts
Because quartzite consists almost entirely of tightly interlocking quartz grains, it is extremely resistant to chemical weathering and erosion, often forming mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass and steel easily) and sugar-like granular texture visible up close. Frequently found in riverbeds, glacial till, and gravel pits.
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