metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to pink or reddish, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to pink or reddish, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert that has been subjected to high temperatures and pressures typically associated with regional metamorphism during mountain-building events, often over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as road aggregate, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica brick, and sometimes as a decorative stone or in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as smooth pebbles in riverbeds and beaches long after less durable minerals have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), the lack of visible grain boundaries due to interlocking crystals, and the fact that it fractures through quartz grains rather than around them.
More like this
