metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal structure, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, commonly in mountain-building orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, crushed stone for road aggregates, and manufactured sand.
Geological facts
Extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, which explains why quartz pebbles survive long journeys in river beds and beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), sugary texture on fractured surfaces, and lack of reaction to acid. Found worldwide in river gravels and ancient beach deposits.
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