metamorphic
Quartzite pebble
Quartzite (SiO2 with impurities)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7, Color: Light orange to pinkish-tan with darker reddish/orange spots (iron oxide inclusions), Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when wet/polished), Crystal structure: Granular, interlocking quartz crystals
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7, Color: Light orange to pinkish-tan with darker reddish/orange spots (iron oxide inclusions), Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when wet/polished), Crystal structure: Granular, interlocking quartz crystals
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone altered by heat and pressure. The reddish spots are likely hematite or other iron minerals. Rounded shape is due to fluvial (river) or coastal water erosion over time.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, as decorative stones, or collected by rockhounds for tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded cobbles in riverbeds long after softer rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass) and sugary texture under magnification, though water-worn specimens appear smooth. Found globally in riverbeds and glacial till.
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