metamorphic
Orange Quartzite / River Pebble
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) - Recrystallized Sandstone
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Orange/Peach due to iron oxide inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.6 – 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Orange/Peach due to iron oxide inclusions, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.6 – 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The high degree of rounding suggests it was a river pebble, smoothed by long-term water transport and abrasion.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in artistic gravel, for lapidary tumbling, or as meditation/worry stones. Industrially, crushed quartzite is used in road construction.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even metal files. Despite its polished appearance in rivers, raw quartzite is often very rugged and resistant to chemical weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it should easily scratch a knife blade) and its lack of reaction to acid. Common in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountainous regions worldwide.
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