metamorphic
Green Quartzite (with possible Epidote/Chlorite inclusions)
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale to olive green with white and tan veining; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (granular/microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6–2.7
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pale to olive green with white and tan veining
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale to olive green with white and tan veining; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (granular/microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6–2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The green coloration typically results from mineral inclusions such as chlorite, epidote, or fuchsine mica. These rocks can date back hundreds of millions of years, often found in mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, crushed stone for construction, landscaping, and occasionally as a semi-precious stone for cabochons or tumbled stones in jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the caps of ridges and mountains. It is tougher than the sandstone from which it originated because the quartz grains have fused together.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel blade, its sugary or vitreous texture, and the way it breaks through quartz grains rather than around them. Common in regions with a history of tectonic activity, such as the Appalachian or Rocky Mountains.
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