metamorphic

Weathered quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite

Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), possibly with feldspar and mica impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; gray-beige, massive and strongly weathered, with a dull to subtly vitreous luster. Interlocking quartz grains and fractures are visible; cleavage is absent, and specific gravity is approximately 2.65.

Identified September 4, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite
Scientific name: Quartzite; predominantly microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂), possibly with feldspar and mica impurities
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 4, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$20 for a common hand specimen; roughly $20–$50 if unusually aesthetic, locality-labeled, or polished.

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

Formed when quartz-rich sandstone was recrystallized under heat and pressure during regional metamorphism; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph. Weathering has rounded and iron-stained the surface.

Uses & applications

Used as crushed stone, road aggregate, wall and paving stone, and occasionally as decorative dimension stone; attractive pieces may be collected but this specimen appears ordinary.

Geological facts

Quartzite commonly breaks across grains rather than around them, producing a rough, splintery fracture. It is generally more resistant to erosion than the sandstone from which it formed.

Field identification & locations

Likely quartzite if a fresh broken surface is granular, glassy, and scratches ordinary glass; sandstone instead feels more friable and its grains can rub away. Common in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide, including the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, Alps, and Norway.