metamorphic

Weathered quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite

Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline SiO₂, possibly with minor feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; pale gray to white with rusty weathering, vitreous to dull luster, massive granular texture, and no obvious cleavage. The specimen appears strongly weathered and fractured, with possible recrystallized quartz grains.

Identified September 6, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite
Scientific name: Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline SiO₂, possibly with minor feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide staining
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 6, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 as a common field specimen; $10–$40 if attractive, polished, or accompanied by documented provenance.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when quartz-rich sandstone was metamorphosed under elevated pressure and temperature, commonly during mountain-building; its precise geological age cannot be determined from the image. Surface oxidation and mechanical weathering produced the rough brown-gray exterior.

Uses & applications

Quartzite is used as crushed aggregate, road stone, building and decorative stone, and occasionally as a lapidary material. This irregular specimen has little commercial value unless it displays unusual texture or provenance.

Geological facts

Quartzite commonly breaks across grains rather than around them and is generally harder than glass. Visual identification alone is provisional because weathered quartz-rich granite or silicified rock can look similar.

Field identification & locations

Common in metamorphic belts worldwide, including the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, Alps, and many Precambrian terrains. Test with a steel file or glass-scratch test, inspect a fresh fracture for interlocking quartz grains, and use acid to rule out carbonate rock.