metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, and tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Cream, white, and tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, and tan; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. This specific specimen has been rounded and smoothed by water erosion (fluvial or marine action).
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone or ballast, in glassmaking as a source of silica, and as decorative landscaping stones or river rocks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often survives as large boulders or rounded pebbles in areas where other rocks have completely eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel nail) and grainy, sugary texture under a magnifying glass. Commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and glacial debris.
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