metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey with yellowish-brown iron staining, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey with yellowish-brown iron staining, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert that has been subjected to intense heat and pressure (regional metamorphism), typically taking millions of years in mountain-building or tectonic environments.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, railway ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative landscaping or ornamental stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive long journeys in rivers and coastlines to become smooth, rounded pebbles.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel does not scratch it) and its sugary, interlocking crystalline texture visible on fractured surfaces. Commonly found on beaches, riverbeds, and glacial outwash.
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