metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to water erosion; Cleavage: None.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Creamy white to pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull/waxy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellow; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to water erosion; Cleavage: None.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartzose sandstone that underwent intense heat and pressure (metamorphism). The pebble shape indicates it was later transported and rounded by water action in a river or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping (river rock), as a source for silica in glass manufacturing, and as construction aggregate.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives cycles of erosion that destroy other rocks, which is why it is frequently found as rounded pebbles in stream beds far from its source.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial deposits worldwide.
