metamorphic
Quartz-rich rock, likely quartzite
Quartzite (predominantly crystalline quartz, SiO₂)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMassive, pale gray-white with rusty brown iron-oxide staining and a dull to sugary luster. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity near 2.65; the image alone cannot confirm the rock identification.
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Physical properties
Massive, pale gray-white with rusty brown iron-oxide staining and a dull to sugary luster. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity near 2.65; the image alone cannot confirm the rock identification.
Formation & geological history
Quartz sandstone recrystallized under heat and pressure, welding quartz grains together; formation age and setting cannot be determined from the specimen image.
Uses & applications
Quartzite is used as crushed stone, road aggregate, building and decorative stone, and sometimes as a silica source.
Geological facts
A useful field clue is that quartzite typically scratches glass and breaks through its grains rather than crumbling along grain boundaries.
Field identification & locations
Common in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide; check hardness and whether a steel point leaves a scratch to distinguish it from softer look-alikes. The specimen’s exact locality is unknown.
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