metamorphic

Tumbled quartz-rich stone, possibly quartzite

Quartzite (mostly SiO₂); exact identification is uncertain from the blurry image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to gray, massive and weakly translucent with a vitreous-to-waxy luster; quartz hardness is about Mohs 7, with no obvious cleavage. Dark streaks may be mica, amphibole, iron oxides, or surface inclusions.

Identified August 15, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartzite forms when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized under heat and pressure during metamorphism, commonly in Precambrian to younger mountain belts. Tumbling has rounded and polished the natural specimen.

Uses & applications

Used as aggregate, building and paving stone, decorative rock, and occasionally as a lapidary material; this small piece has mainly ornamental or educational value.

Geological facts

Quartzite is typically harder and more resistant than its sandstone precursor. A steel file usually will not scratch it, while quartz can scratch ordinary glass.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include mountain belts worldwide, including Brazil, India, the United States, and Scandinavia. A hand lens and hardness test can distinguish it from calcite marble; acid effervescence would indicate calcite instead.