Quartzite River Rock

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Creamy white with dark grey/brown mineral banding; Luster: Dull to waxy; Texture: Fine-grained, granular; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7.

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specimen has been smoothed and rounded over thousands of years by fluvial (river) erosion.

Uses & Applications

Commonly used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as road ballast, or as a source of silica in glass manufacturing.

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so durable that it often survives where other rocks weather away. It is one of the hardest common metamorphic rocks, capable of scratching glass or steel easily.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (cannot be scratched by a knife) and smooth, water-worn texture. Found globally in riverbeds and glacial deposits.

Identified on: 4/27/2026

Mode: Standard