Tien quartzite, a rock with an exceptionally high quartz content, used to be mined in the region around Tienen and Hoegaarden. The stone was mainly used locally in buildings and pavements. Many traces of this stone are still visible in and around Tienen. Ten thousand years ago, this rock was used to carve tools and resources for hunting.

The quartzite of Tienen is an exceptionally hard rock. This is because this is a sedimentary quartzite formed from deposits. Traditional quartzite is also of high quality but is formed by sand crystallizing under high pressure and temperature.

Today there are no active quarries mining Tiens quartzite. Nijst Natuursteen has this rock available primarily as reclaimed cobblestone. Here the supply varies according to the recovery of old pavement layers.

Because of its high degree of durability, resistance to wear and weathering, Nijst Natuursteen has committed to also offering a Belgian variant of this quality stone in very limited quantities. This is the quartzite from the Theux region. Products from this rock are very limited.

To keep the story of this beautiful stone alive, Nijst Natuursteen is offering this stone while supplies last. This ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty of this Belgian rock.

• Origin: Region of Tienen and Hoegaarden
• Average apparent specific gravity: – kg/m³
• Average porosity: – %
• Average pressure resistance: – N/mm²
• Colors: reddish-brown, beige, violet, blue and grayish nuances

* Values are averages and vary according to the extraction site in the quarry.