metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite (mostly SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-white with hints of tan/yellow; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated granoblastic; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grayish-white with hints of tan/yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-white with hints of tan/yellow; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated granoblastic; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in road construction (aggregate), as a decorative stone in architecture, as a refractory material, and for industrial silica sourcing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the jagged peaks of mountain ranges because it resists weathering better than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass and steel) and its crystalline appearance which differs from the grainy texture of sandstone. Found globally in ancient mountain belts.
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