metamorphic

Quartzite Pebble

Metamorphosed Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when wet; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to tan with iron staining
Luster: Vitreous to waxy when wet

Identified July 19, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to tan with iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when wet; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped and smoothed by river or coastal water erosion.

Uses & applications

Used as decorative gravel in landscaping, as an abrasive in industrial processes, and occasionally as a source for silica in glassmaking.

Geological facts

Quartzite is one of the most durable and weather-resistant rocks on Earth. Historically, it was used by many cultures to create stone tools because of its hardness and predictable fracture patterns.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its translucent, sugary appearance. Extremely common in riverbeds and mountainous terrain.