metamorphic

Quartzite Pebble

Quartzite (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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 July 15, 2026More 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.