metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of ~7 on Mohs scale, granular texture, typically light-colored (white, gray, yellowish, or pinkish). In this wet state, it shows a pale yellow-tan color with visible grain boundaries.
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Physical properties
Hardness of ~7 on Mohs scale, granular texture, typically light-colored (white, gray, yellowish, or pinkish). In this wet state, it shows a pale yellow-tan color with visible grain boundaries.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the metamorphism of pure quartz sandstone under heating and pressure, typically related to tectonic compression.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as decorative stone, railway ballast, and in some industrial applications requiring high silica content. Small pebbles like this are often collected for rock tumbling or decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks across the quartz grains rather than around them, which distinguishes it from sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass), granular but fused texture, and lack of fizzing with acid. Often found in riverbeds and beaches where softer rocks have worn away.
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