metamorphic
Quartzite with Iron Inclusions
Quartzite (SiO2 with Fe2O3 impurities)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white, tan, and reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Granular and crystalline; Fracture: Conchoidal or irregular.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white, tan, and reddish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white, tan, and reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Granular and crystalline; Fracture: Conchoidal or irregular.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. The reddish-brown staining is caused by iron oxide (limonite or hematite) leaching into the rock during hydrothermal or weathering processes.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, construction aggregate, and as a material for lapidary tumbling due to its hardness and ability to take a high polish.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most durable rocks on Earth's surface. This specific specimen shows signs of river-tumbling, which has smoothed the edges of the originally jagged metamorphic rock.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its lack of reaction to acid. Look for it in river beds, glacial till, or metamorphic mountain ranges. It often appears as a dense, sugary-textured rock.
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