Green Quartzite

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale green to yellowish-green, Luster: Vitreous to waxy, Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal), Breakage: Conchoidal/granular fracture

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. The green coloration is typically due to the presence of fuchsite (chromium-rich mica) or other silicate inclusions. Ages vary by outcrop, ranging from Proterozoic to more recent orogenies.

Used as decorative stone, construction aggregate, countertop material, and as an ornamental stone in landscaping or lapidary arts.

Unlike sandstone, quartzite breaks through the quartz grains rather than around them. Green quartzite is often sold under trade names like 'Green Quartz' or sometimes misidentified as jade by novices.

Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel blade) and its granular, sugary texture. Common in Appalachian mountains and high-metamorphic zones globally like Brazil and India.