metamorphic

Weathered quartz-rich rock, likely quartzite

Quartzite (mostly SiO₂), possibly ferruginous quartzite or strongly silicified sandstone

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; pale orange, tan, and rusty-brown coloration with a dull to sugary/vitreous luster. Massive, granular quartz texture; iron-oxide staining is prominent, and cleavage is absent or very poor.

Identified September 7, 2026More metamorphic →

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At a glance

Common name: Weathered quartz-rich rock, likely quartzite
Scientific name: Quartzite (mostly SiO₂), possibly ferruginous quartzite or strongly silicified sandstone
Category: metamorphic
Identified: September 7, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a hand specimen; large attractive landscape pieces may sell for $20–$100, depending on locality and appearance.

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

Quartzite forms when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized during regional metamorphism, commonly during mountain building; its precise age cannot be determined from the image. Orange and brown colors typically result from hematite or goethite weathering.

Uses & applications

Used as crushed stone, road aggregate, building stone, landscaping rock, and occasionally decorative slabs. This rough, weathered specimen has little gem value.

Geological facts

Quartzite commonly breaks across individual grains rather than around them and can be harder than ordinary sandstone. It may resemble quartz vein material or silicified volcanic rock in hand specimens.

Field identification & locations

Look for sand-sized quartz grains fused into a very hard mass, no obvious layering, and a scratch test against glass; iron staining alone is not diagnostic. Common in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide.