metamorphic
Quartzite River Rock
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, grey, and white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure. This specific specimen has been further shaped by fluvial (river) erosion, giving it a rounded cobble shape.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as crushed stone for road beds, and occasionally as a source of silica for glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the tops of hills and ridges because it weathers much more slowly than the surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its sugary, granular appearance on broken surfaces. Commonly found in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
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