metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, grayish-brown color with dull to vitreous luster, microcrystalline, non-foliated metamorphic texture, smooth water-worn surface.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, grayish-brown color with dull to vitreous luster, microcrystalline, non-foliated metamorphic texture, smooth water-worn surface.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in regional metamorphic belts, and subsequently rounded by stream or beach erosion.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, road ballast, decorative garden landscaping, and lapidary tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering. When broken, it fractures through its quartz grains rather than along the grain boundaries as sandstone does.
Field identification & locations
Look for a dense, hard pebble that can scratch glass (hardness 7) with a sugary to smooth microcrystalline texture. Common in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and beaches worldwide.
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