metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 on Mohs scale, grayish-white color, vitreous luster, granular crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, grayish-white color, vitreous luster, granular crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative landscaping stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which is why quartz-rich rocks often survive as smooth pebbles in riverbeds and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of reaction to acid, and sugary textured fractured surface. Found worldwide in ancient orogenic belts.
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