metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Light grey, beige, or white with subtle banding. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Crystalline aggregate of interlocking quartz crystals. Cleavage: None, fractures conchoidally. Specific gravity: 2.65 - 2.75.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Light grey, beige, or white with subtle banding
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Light grey, beige, or white with subtle banding. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Crystalline aggregate of interlocking quartz crystals. Cleavage: None, fractures conchoidally. Specific gravity: 2.65 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during tectonic compression and regional metamorphism over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica brick, road aggregates, and occasionally as decorative landscaping stones or tumbling material.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why it often survives long transport in rivers to become smooth, rounded pebbles.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass easily and cannot be scratched by a knife) and the sugary texture visible on fresh breaks. Found worldwide in ancient mountain belts and riverbeds.
More like this
