metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan with dark inclusions; Luster: vitreous to waxy when wet; Structure: Granoblastic texture; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- yellowish-tan with dark inclusions
- Luster
- vitreous to waxy when wet
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellowish-tan with dark inclusions; Luster: vitreous to waxy when wet; Structure: Granoblastic texture; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, causing recrystallization. This specimen has been rounded by fluvial or alluvial transport in water.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as aggregate, in road metal, and as decorative stone in landscaping or river rock collections.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard it can scratch glass and steel. It is one of the most durable rocks on the Earth's surface and often remains as pebbles long after softer rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its extreme hardness, lack of reaction to acid, and grainy but fused appearance. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and beaches.
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