metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, buff, or light brown; Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: crystalline (granoblastic); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- tan, buff, or light brown
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
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 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, buff, or light brown; Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: crystalline (granoblastic); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen is a water-worn river stone or glacial cobble from the Quaternary period.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as construction aggregate, road ballast, and decorative landscaping stone.
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 in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its grainy, crystalline texture. Found in riverbeds, glaciated plains, and mountain ranges worldwide.
More like this
