Stiperstones Quartzite Specimen (England, UK)

Stiperstones Quartzite Specimen - Falconer's Rock, Stiperstones area, Shropshire Hills, Shropshire, England, UK

This impressive specimen of Stiperstones Quartzite were personally collected from the rugged landscape of Falconer's Rock, situated near the famous Stiperstones ridge in Shropshire, England. This material is a hallmark of British geology, representing the durable "backbone" of the Shropshire hills. Formed approximately 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period, this rock was originally a clean marine sand that underwent intense heat and pressure, recrystallising into the incredibly tough, weather-resistant metamorphic rock seen today.

The specimens exhibit a classic saccharoidal (sugary) texture, where the interlocking quartz crystals catch the light and provide a subtle, natural sparkle. While the base colour is a clean, pale grey to white, these particular pieces feature beautiful iron-oxide staining, creating warm patches of pink, orange, and terracotta. This coloration occurs as mineral-rich waters percolate through the rock's micro-fractures over geological time, adding a unique aesthetic character to each individual piece. Because the rock is composed almost entirely of silica, it is exceptionally hard and possesses a distinctively gritty, tactile surface.

Sourcing material from Falconer's Rock provides a direct connection to a landscape shaped by both ancient tectonic forces and the harsh erosion of the last Ice Age. The Stiperstones ridge is renowned for its jagged, tor-like outcrops, and these specimens serve as a perfect representative sample of the Ordovician strata that defines the region. They are ideal for collectors of British regional geology, educational displays focusing on metamorphic processes, or as rugged, natural decorative pieces that tell a story of deep time and environmental transformation.

Origin: Falconer's Rock, Stiperstones area, Shropshire Hills, Shropshire, England, UK
Rock type: Quartzite
Size: ~7(L) x 5(H) x 3(W) cm (see scale cube), 133 g