metamorphic
Green Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2 with chlorite inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale green to greyish-green with white quartz veins; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale green to greyish-green with white quartz veins
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale green to greyish-green with white quartz veins; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. The green tint is typically caused by the presence of trace minerals like chlorite or fuchsite.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction, and occasionally for lapidary work or inexpensive jewelry cabochons.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock layers, frequently forming the peaks of mountains and ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and its grainy, sugary texture. It is commonly found in mountain belts where tectonic plates have collided.
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