metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite or Iron-Stained Quartz
Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to brownish-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline in massive form); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Yellow to brownish-yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to brownish-yellow; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline in massive form); Cleavage: None, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone altered by heat and pressure (metamorphism). The yellow color is typically due to iron oxide (limonite) inclusions or staining during or after formation.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, in landscaping, as railroad ballast, or polished for lapidary uses.
Geological facts
Quartzite is incredibly resistant to chemical weathering and often forms ridges and resistant hilltops in landscapes.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and massive, grainy appearance. Commonly found in riverbeds and glacial deposits where softer rocks have eroded away.
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