metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, grey, or off-white; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Grain: fine to medium grained granular texture; Cleavage: none (fractures conchoidally)
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- tan, grey, or off-white
- Luster
- vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: tan, grey, or off-white; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Grain: fine to medium grained granular texture; Cleavage: none (fractures conchoidally)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped into a smooth pebble by river or coastal erosion over centuries or millennia.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as a sturdy aggregate, as a durable building material, in landscaping, and occasionally as a source for high-purity silica in industrial glassmaking.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most physically durable and chemically resistant rocks found on Earth's surface. It is often so hard that it can scratch steel and even glass easily.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness and its sugary, granular look on a fresh break. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits globally. For collectors, search for specimens with unique colors or translucency.
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