metamorphic
Quartzite River Rock
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Rusty brown/tan due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Dull/Waxy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Rusty brown/tan due to iron oxide staining
- Luster
- Dull/Waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Rusty brown/tan due to iron oxide staining; Luster: Dull/Waxy; Crystal Structure: Granular/Crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been chemically weathered (iron staining) and physically rounded by fluvial (river) transport over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, construction aggregate, decorative garden stones, and historically as a tool stone due to its durability.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even steel. It is often more resistant to weathering than the surrounding rock, leading it to form prominent ridges or survive as rounded cobbles in riverbeds.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a knife) and its grainy, sugary texture. Common in riverbeds, glacial tills, and mountainous metamorphic belts.
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