metamorphic
Quartzite / Quartz Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: reddish-brown, tan, and white. Luster: vitreous to dull/earthy. Crystal system: trigonal/hexagonal. Cleavage: none (conchoidal to uneven fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- reddish-brown, tan, and white
- Luster
- vitreous to dull/earthy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: reddish-brown, tan, and white. Luster: vitreous to dull/earthy. Crystal system: trigonal/hexagonal. Cleavage: none (conchoidal to uneven fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure, causing quartz grains to recrystallize into a interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, aggregate, and decorative landscaping stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to chemical and physical weathering, often surviving long after surrounding rock types have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its extreme hardness (scratches glass easily) and granular, crystalline texture. Commonly found in stream beds, glacial till, and mountainous metamorphic terrains.
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