metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite, SiO2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically brown to gray due to iron oxide staining, vitreous luster, and massive crystal structure with no visible cleavage.
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 of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically brown to gray due to iron oxide staining, vitreous luster, and massive crystal structure with no visible cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction, aggregate, railway ballast, and occasionally for decorative landscaping or stone-knapping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which explains why quartz sandstone weathers into smooth, rounded pebbles in rivers and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its resistance to scratching by steel and lack of effervescence with acid; commonly found in riverbeds and glacial drift.
More like this
