metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2 silicon dioxide)
Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, and pinkish hues; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, brown, and pinkish hues
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, and pinkish hues; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. This specific specimen is a water-worn river pebble, shaped by fluvial transport.
Uses & applications
Large-scale quartzite is used in construction and road ballast; individual pebbles are used for landscaping, aquarium gravel, or as decorative garden stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even high-quality steel. It is one of the most durable and weather-resistant rocks on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness and granular, sugary appearance on a fresh break. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits. Found globally.
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