metamorphic
Quartzite River Rock
Quartzite
Hardness (Mohs scale): 7; Color: Tan, white, or gray; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.65
- Color
- Tan, white, or gray
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness (Mohs scale): 7; Color: Tan, white, or gray; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone subjected to extreme heat and pressure, causing the original quartz grains to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic structure.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as road ballast, and as a raw material for glass and ceramics due to high silica content.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant. Many smoothed specimens found in rivers were rounded over thousands of years by abrasive water action.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it can scratch glass and steel) and its granular, sugary appearance on a fresh break. Most common in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
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