metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7, Color: Gray, tan, brown, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Massive/granular, Cleavage: None
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7, Color: Gray, tan, brown, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Massive/granular, Cleavage: None
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to heat and pressure. The rounded shape indicates transport by water (river or beach tumbling).
Uses & applications
Used in construction, decorative stone, and sometimes tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is very resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded cobbles and pebbles in riverbeds and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and granular sugary texture when freshly broken. Found globally in riverbeds, glacial till, and beaches.
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