metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily Silicon Dioxide - SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to honey gold; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline/interlocking); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63–2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pale yellow to honey gold
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to honey gold; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline/interlocking); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63–2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure reciprocal to tectonic burials cause the original quartz grains to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic. Typically found in Precambrian or Paleozoic metamorphic belts.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in landscaping, crushed stone for road construction, lapidary work (cabochons), and as a silicate source in industrial glass making.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives erosion better than any other rock, frequently forming the tops of ridges and mountain peaks. Yellow coloration is usually due to trace amounts of iron oxides or goethite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass and steel) and its grainy, sugary texture that resembles sandstone but cannot be rubbed off with your thumb. Found globally in mountainous regions.
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