metamorphic

Weathered quartz-rich rock, possibly quartzite or quartz vein fragment

Quartzite (SiO₂-dominant), tentative identification

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness about 7 Mohs; pale tan to rusty brown, granular and sugary texture, with vitreous-to-dull luster. Quartz grains appear interlocked; iron-oxide staining causes the yellow-orange coloration, but the image does not confirm cleavage or density.

Identified September 6, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Weathered quartz-rich rock, possibly quartzite or quartz vein fragment in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Likely formed when quartz-rich sandstone was metamorphosed and recrystallized under heat and pressure, commonly during mountain building; its exact geological age and provenance cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Mostly a natural specimen or landscaping stone; quartzite is also used as aggregate, building stone, countertops, and occasionally decorative material. This rough fragment has little jewelry value unless it displays unusual texture or provenance.

Geological facts

Quartzite commonly breaks across grains rather than around them and can scratch ordinary glass. Similar-looking material may instead be silicified sandstone, chert, or iron-stained quartz.

Field identification & locations

Look for a very hard, gritty quartz texture, no obvious flat cleavage, and resistance to scratching by a steel knife; a glass-scratch test and acid test help distinguish it from carbonate rocks. Common in metamorphic mountain belts worldwide.