metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white to light gray color with a vitreous to greasy luster; massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white to light gray color with a vitreous to greasy luster; massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, often occurring in mountain-building orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and as decorative landscape stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as smooth pebbles in rivers.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness that scratches glass and its inability to effervesce with hydrochloric acid; commonly found in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
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