metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite (SiO2 composition)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown due to iron oxide staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone through heat and pressure (typically during orogenic events). The rounded shape indicates erosion in a high-energy water environment such as a river or beach.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as a decorative stone, road ballast, or as a source of silica for glass manufacturing. Polished pieces are used in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most durable and chemically resistant rocks found on the Earth's surface. Because it is harder than glass or steel, it is often used as a benchmark in basic geological field testing.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel blade and its granular, sugary texture on fresh breaks. It is ubiquitous in glacial till and riverbeds across the globe.
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