metamorphic

Quartzite Pebble

Metamorphic Quartzite

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Light yellow, beige, or white; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Interlocking mosaic of quartz grains; Cleavage: None (fractures conchoidally); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Light yellow, beige, or white
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 28, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone or chert under high heat and pressure, typically in tectonic mountain-building zones.

Uses & applications

Used in construction, as road aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative landscaping stone.

Geological facts

Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as smooth pebbles in riverbeds and beaches long after other rocks have eroded away.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of effervescence with acid, and the visible sugary or interlocking quartz texture when examined closely.