metamorphic
Red Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pinkish-red to reddish-brown, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pinkish-red to reddish-brown, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events. The red color is usually due to iron oxide impurities (Hematite).
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone or road ballast, as a decorative landscape material, and occasionally in jewelry as tumbled stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock layers during erosion, frequently forming the caps of hills and mountains.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of visible grains compared to sandstone. Commonly found in river beds or glacial deposits.
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