metamorphic

Quartz-rich metamorphic rock (likely quartzite)

Quartzite, dominantly crystalline SiO₂, with probable iron-oxide staining and minor feldspar/mica

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Off-white to honey-yellow, granular crystalline texture, vitreous to dull luster, no obvious layering or cleavage. Quartz hardness is about Mohs 7; quartzite is dense and scratches ordinary glass, with specific gravity around 2.6–2.7.

Identified August 12, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Quartz-rich metamorphic rock (likely quartzite)
Scientific name: Quartzite, dominantly crystalline SiO₂, with probable iron-oxide staining and minor feldspar/mica
Category: metamorphic
Identified: August 12, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 for a common hand specimen; $20–$75 if unusually attractive, crystalline, or locally significant.

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

Likely formed when quartz-rich sandstone was deeply buried and recrystallized during regional metamorphism, probably during Himalayan mountain-building. The yellow-brown color commonly comes from limonite/goethite or weathering; exact age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Used as building and paving stone, aggregate, and decorative facing; attractive pieces are collected, though this rough specimen has modest commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartzite commonly breaks across grains rather than around them, producing a hard, irregular fracture. It can resemble quartz-bearing sandstone or massive quartz.

Field identification & locations

The reported location near 35.9°N, 74.4°E, in northern Pakistan, is geologically compatible with metamorphosed quartz-rich rocks of the Karakoram–Himalayan region. Confirm by a glass-scratch test and checking whether grains are tightly fused; dilute acid should show little or no reaction.