metamorphic
Quartzite River Stone
Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, or flesh-toned with slight translucency; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan, beige, or flesh-toned with slight translucency
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy when polished
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan, beige, or flesh-toned with slight translucency; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The rounded shape indicates extensive alluvial erosion in a river or coastal environment, likely over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for landscaping, decorative garden stones, architectural accents, and occasionally as a low-cost lapidary material for tumbling or carving.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the caprock on mountains. River-tumbled specimens like this have been naturally polished by the abrasive action of water and sand.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and its grainy, sugary texture under a magnifying lens. Commonly found in riverbeds, glacial tills, and ancient sedimentary basins worldwide.
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