metamorphic

Quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite

Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with possible feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; white to gray with pale tan and dark mineral bands, vitreous to sugary luster, and massive interlocking crystalline texture. Quartzite typically lacks cleavage and breaks irregularly or conchoidally; exact identification is uncertain from an image alone.

Identified September 6, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite
Scientific name: Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), with possible feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide staining
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 6, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $5–$30 for a common hand specimen; $30–$100 if unusually attractive, well-labeled, or locality-specific.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed when quartz-rich sandstone recrystallized under elevated temperature and pressure during regional metamorphism, commonly millions to billions of years ago. It may preserve faint original bedding or mineral banding.

Uses & applications

Used as crushed aggregate, road stone, building and facing stone, countertops, landscaping material, and occasionally as a decorative specimen; not visibly gem-quality.

Geological facts

A useful field test is that quartzite scratches ordinary glass and resists a steel file, while individual quartz grains are tightly fused. Acid generally produces no reaction unless carbonate minerals are present.

Field identification & locations

Common in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide, including the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, Alps, and Precambrian shields. The specimen’s exact locality and a fresh-break test are needed to distinguish it from quartz-rich granite or silicified rock.