metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite
Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white or light colored but can be various shades depending on impurities (brownish in this specimen due to iron oxide), glassy to dull luster, granoblastic texture, no cleavage, specific gravity around 2.6-2.8.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white or light colored but can be various shades depending on impurities (brownish in this specimen due to iron oxide), glassy to dull luster, granoblastic texture, no cleavage, specific gravity around 2.6-2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartzose sandstone subjected to heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as a decorative stone, for railway ballast, and in the production of silica for various industrial applications.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks across the quartz grains rather than around them. It is highly resistant to weathering.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its hardness (scratches glass), sugary appearance on fresh surfaces, and lack of foliation. Commonly found in areas of past tectonic activity and mountain building.
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