metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7, Color: white to light yellow/tan, Luster: vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: massive/granular, Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7, Color: white to light yellow/tan, Luster: vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: massive/granular, Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz sandstone that was subjected to heat and pressure, typically in tectonic environments. Rounded by water transport in a river or beach setting.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, construction as crushed stone, and sometimes tumbled for craft projects.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded pebbles in riverbeds and on beaches long after softer rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), sugary to smooth texture, and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in river gravels and glacial deposits worldwide.
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