metamorphic

Quartzite Pebbles

Crystalline silica rock (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to off-white/light tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull when water-worn; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); specific gravity: 2.6 – 2.7

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: white to off-white/light tan
Luster: Vitreous to dull when water-worn

Identified June 9, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to off-white/light tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull when water-worn; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); specific gravity: 2.6 – 2.7

Formation & geological history

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, often found as water-worn river or beach pebbles that have been rounded by mechanical erosion.

Uses & applications

Used in landscaping, construction as a decorative aggregate, abrasives, and as a raw material for glass manufacturing and silicon chemical industries.

Geological facts

Quartzite is one of the most physically durable and chemically resistant rocks found on the Earth's surface. A broken piece of quartzite akan split through the quartz grains rather than around them.