metamorphic
Quartzite River Stone
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan to buff; Luster: Dull/Waxy (weathered surface); Texture: Granular, crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Yellowish-tan to buff
- Luster
- Dull/Waxy (weathered surface)
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellowish-tan to buff; Luster: Dull/Waxy (weathered surface); Texture: Granular, crystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone through heat and pressure (metamorphism), then rounded by fluvial erosion in a riverbed. Ages vary widely by locality, ranging from Proterozoic to more recent eras.
Uses & applications
Decorative landscaping, river rock accents, aquarium decor, and sometimes used as a crushed stone aggregate in construction.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most durable and weather-resistant rocks on Earth. This specific specimen has been smoothed by the mechanical action of water over thousands of years.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of reaction to acid. Common in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountain ranges globally.
