metamorphic
Quartzite River Stone
Quartzite (SiO2 with impurities)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and reddish hues; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Granular/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-tan, grey, and reddish hues
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and reddish hues; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Granular/Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specimen shows significant rounding and smoothing from fluvial (river) erosion.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, railway ballast, and sometimes as decorative landscaping stones or garden pebbles.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the caps of ridges and mountains. This specific pebble likely traveled long distances in a riverbed to achieve its rounded shape.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will scratch glass easily) and its sugary, granular appearance on a fresh break. Common in riverbeds and glacial tills.
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