metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellowish-brown to honey, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Yellow Quartzite Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Yellowish-brown to honey, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture, Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure. This specific rounded specimen suggests transport and erosion by water in a river or beach environment.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in construction aggregates, and occasionally for lapidary work or as worry stones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is harder and more durable than the sandstone it originates from. The yellow or tan coloration is typically due to trace amounts of iron oxide (limonite or hematite) staining the quartz grains.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its sugary, crystalline texture when broken. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountain ranges globally.
More like this
