metamorphic
River Quartzite Slik
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, yellow, orange due to iron staining, Luster: Vitreous/Waxy when wet, Structure: Granular/Microcrystalline, No cleavage, SG: 2.6-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan, yellow, orange due to iron staining, Luster: Vitreous/Waxy when wet, Structure: Granular/Microcrystalline, No cleavage, SG: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, subsequently rounded and polished by fluvial (river) erosion over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, as decorative garden stones, in construction aggregates, or for lapidary tumbling and polishing for beginner collectors.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that it often survives through multiple cycles of erosion, outlasting the weaker rocks around it. It is often harder than the steel tools used to scratch it.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and smooth, water-worn texture. Look for it in glacial till or active riverbeds where harder minerals concentrate.
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