metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal system: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to light pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to light pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal system: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in orogenic belts where tectonic plates collide.
Uses & applications
Used as building material, decorative landscaping stone, crushed stone for road construction, and in the production of glass and ceramics.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense weathering better than other rocks, which is why smooth quartzite pebbles are common on beaches and in riverbeds.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and lack of reaction to acid. Often found in glaciated regions or rocky beaches. Collectors value smooth, rounded examples for 'worry stones'.
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