metamorphic

Yellow Quartzite

Quartzite (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, honey-toned, or orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.8

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Yellow, honey-toned, or orange
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified May 3, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, honey-toned, or orange; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.8

Formation & geological history

Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in orogenic belts. The yellow color is usually caused by iron oxide (limonite or goethite) staining within the matrix.

Uses & applications

Used for architectural stone, decorative gravel, jewelry (especially tumbled stones), and historical stone tool making.

Geological facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense weathering better than the mountains it forms; it breaks through the quartz grains rather than around them, distinguishing it from sandstone.