metamorphic
Quartzite Pebbles
Meta-quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, or light tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Fine-grained, smooth due to water erosion; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Cream, white, or light tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, or light tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Fine-grained, smooth due to water erosion; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The pebble shape indicates it was later eroded and smoothed by high-energy water environments like rivers or coastal beaches.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative landscaping stones, aquarium substrate, and historically as a component in glass making or construction aggregate.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the hardest and most chemically resistant rocks on the Earth's surface. It survives extreme weathering that would break down other rock types into sand.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its lack of reaction to acid. It is commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and along coastlines.
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