metamorphic
Quartzite / Iron-stained Chert
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Iron Oxide impurities
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, reddish-brown to earthy yellow color, dull to waxy luster, microcrystalline/granular structure, uneven to conchoidal fracture, specific gravity ~2.65
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite / Iron-stained Chert in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, reddish-brown to earthy yellow color, dull to waxy luster, microcrystalline/granular structure, uneven to conchoidal fracture, specific gravity ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to metamorphism, or microcrystalline silica precipitation in sedimentary environments, often stained with iron oxides (hematite/goethite)
Uses & applications
Used in construction, gravel, landscaping, and as a durable decorative stone or lapidary material
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it typically breaks through quartz grains rather than along their boundaries, making it an exceptionally durable rock
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass easily) and reddish earthy hue; common in gravel beds, mountain outcrops, and glacial till worldwide
More like this
