metamorphic
Quartzite with Hematite staining
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2) with Ferruginous Oxides
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Buff, tan, and white with reddish-orange iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Granular and crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Buff, tan, and white with reddish-orange iron staining
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Buff, tan, and white with reddish-orange iron staining; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Granular and crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often in orogenic (mountain-building) zones. The reddish tint is due to secondary hematite or limonite staining from groundwater.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, construction aggregate, and occasionally for lapidary work if highly silicified. Highly durable and weather-resistant.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so strong that when it breaks, it fractures through the quartz grains rather than along their boundaries, unlike its parent rock sandstone. Iron staining is very common in surface-found specimens.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of reaction to acid. Commonly found in riverbeds or near mountain ranges. This specific piece appears water-worn or tumbled.
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