metamorphic
Quartzite (River Rose Quartzite)
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-orange to tan; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Texture: Granular, crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-orange to tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-orange to tan; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Texture: Granular, crystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed via the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. The pinkish hue is often caused by trace amounts of iron oxide (hematite) or other mineral inclusions.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative landscaping stone, in construction as crushed stone or ballast, and occasionally in lapidary work for tumbling or carving.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so strong that it will break through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them, unlike sandstone. This specimen is a water-worn river cobble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its granular, sugary appearance. Found globally in ancient mountain belts and riverbeds.
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