metamorphic
Banded Quartzite River Pebble
Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/brown with a white quartz band; Luster: Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; No cleavage.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan/brown with a white quartz band
- Luster
- Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan/brown with a white quartz band; Luster: Dull/earthy on the exterior, vitreous on the vein; Structure: Granular/Crystalline; No cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to extreme heat and pressure (metamorphism). The white band is a hydrothermal quartz vein that filled a fracture during the specimen's deep-crustal history.
Uses & applications
Aesthetic landscaping, aggregate in heavy construction, or as decorative pocket stones and 'worry stones' for collectors.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives millions of years of river and glacial transport. This specific specimen is likely an 'erratic,' shaped by water erosion and ice movement.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial moraines, and rocky beaches globally.
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