metamorphic
Quartzite River Stone
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to tan; Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown to tan
- Luster
- Dull to sub-vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to tan; Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped by fluvial erosion, giving it a rounded, smooth 'river stone' appearance.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as crushed stone for road ballast, or as a durable abrasive.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it can scratch steel and glass. It is often more resistant to weathering than the surrounding rock, often forming the peaks of hills and mountains.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness and grainy, sugary texture under a lens. Found commonly in riverbeds or glacial deposits where sandstone was once buried and metamorphosed.
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