Quartzite Pebble

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically brown, gray, or white in color, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, lacks distinct cleavage, and specific gravity around 2.65.

Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure conditions over millions of years.

Used in landscaping, construction aggregate, decorative gravel, and occasionally as raw material in manufacturing silica brick and glass.

Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and chemical erosion, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as rounded pebbles in riverbeds and beaches long after other minerals have broken down.

Can be identified in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass and cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its sugary, interlocking crystalline texture visible on broken surfaces. Commonly found in river gravels and ancient alluvial deposits worldwide.