metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, reddish-pink to brownish color, dull to vitreous luster, granular metamorphic texture, highly resistant to weathering.
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, reddish-pink to brownish color, dull to vitreous luster, granular metamorphic texture, highly resistant to weathering.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. Water erosion naturally smoothed this pebble in riverbeds or coastal environments.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, river rock decor, aggregate for construction, and as aquarium pebbles.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that when it breaks, it fractures through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them, unlike sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), grainy appearance, and lack of acid reaction. Commonly found in gravel pits, riverbeds, and glacial deposits globally.
More like this
