metamorphic
Quartzite river stone
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-purple to tan with translucent areas; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grayish-purple to tan with translucent areas
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-purple to tan with translucent areas; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Structure: Microcrystalline; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under heat and pressure, then weathered and rounded by water transport in a river or stream environment.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in landscaping, as a construction aggregate, or tumbled by hobbyists for display.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even steel. It is one of the most physically durable and chemically resistant rocks found at the Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its sugary texture on broken surfaces, extreme hardness, and lack of reaction to acid. Often found as rounded cobbles in riverbeds.
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