Metamorphic
Quartzite with Quartz Veins
Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: light brown/tan with white/clear veins, Luster: dull to vitreous, Granular texture, smooth from water wear.
- Luster
- dull to vitreous, Granular texture, smooth from water wear
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs), Color: light brown/tan with white/clear veins, Luster: dull to vitreous, Granular texture, smooth from water wear.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone. The veins formed when silica-rich fluids filled fractures in the rock. The rounded shape indicates it has been tumbled in a river or beach environment.
Uses & applications
Commonly collected as river rocks or landscaping stones. Has no significant industrial value in this form.
Geological facts
Quartzite is very hard and resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded pebbles in rivers and on beaches.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), sugary/granular texture under a lens, and lack of fizzing with acid. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits.
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