metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to light grey, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to light grey, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events. The original quartz grains recrystallize into a dense interlocking mosaic.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as crushed stone in road construction, as decorative landscaping gravel, and as a raw material for ceramics and glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the caps of ridges and mountains because it resists erosion better than the surrounding rock.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its sugary texture and the fact that it can easily scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife. It is frequently found as rounded water-worn pebbles in riverbeds and on beaches.
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