metamorphic
Quartzite with Quartz Veins
Metamorphic Quartz-rich Rock (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with tan/white veins; Luster: Dull to waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to water erosion; Structure: Non-foliated metamorphic rock.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown with tan/white veins
- Luster
- Dull to waxy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with tan/white veins; Luster: Dull to waxy; Texture: Granular but smooth due to water erosion; Structure: Non-foliated metamorphic rock.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to heat, pressure, and chemical activity of metamorphism, recrystallizing the silica grains. The veins were formed later by hydrothermal fluids filling fractures.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative stone, in construction as crushed stone or ballast, and as a tumbling material for rock hobbyists.
Geological facts
Quartzite is one of the most physically durable and chemically resistant rocks found at the Earth's surface. It often survives long-distance transport in rivers, leading to rounded cobbles like this one.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (it will scratch glass easily) and its sugary, granular appearance under a lens. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
