Quartzite Pebble

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, brown, or light yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (especially when water-worn); Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz sandstone. The high pressure and temperature cause the sand grains to recrystallize and fuse together.

Uses & Applications

Used as decorative landscaping stones, aggregate in construction, or for lapidary work (tumbling and polishing).

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense mechanical weathering, which is why it is commonly found as smooth, rounded pebbles on beaches or in riverbeds long after softer rocks have eroded.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its grainy, crystalline texture. It is ubiquitous in glaciated regions and along high-energy coastlines.

Identified on: 5/1/2026

Mode: Standard