metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to honey gold due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline masses); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale yellow to honey gold due to iron oxide impurities
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to honey gold due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline masses); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This specimen shows signs of mechanical weathering and rounding, likely through fluvial (river) or coastal action.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone or decorative aggregates, in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics, and as tumbled stones for landscaping or metaphysical collections.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even steel. It is more resistant to weathering than most other rocks, often forming the caps of ridges and mountain peaks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its grainy, sandpaper-like texture that cannot be rubbed off, its extreme hardness, and its tendency to break through quartz grains rather than along their boundaries. Common in ancient metamorphic belts globally.
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