metamorphic
White Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2 - Silicon Dioxide)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale (scratches glass). Color: White to light grey. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to dull. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale (scratches glass)
- Color
- White to light grey
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy) to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale (scratches glass). Color: White to light grey. Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to dull. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartzose sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. It can range in age from Precambrian to more recent geological eras.
Uses & applications
Used heavily in construction as road ballast, roofing granules, and decorative stone. High-purity quartzite is used to produce ferrosilicon, industrial silica sand, and silicon metal.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, frequently forming the tops of ridges and resistant mountain peaks. It is often mistaken for marble, but unlike marble, it will not fizz when in contact with acid.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (grains do not rub off like sand) and its tendency to break across grain boundaries rather than around them. Found globally in mountainous regions like the Appalachians or the Alps. Look for a sugary texture on fresh surfaces.
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