metamorphic
Quartz / Quartzite
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White, grey, or colorless; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White, grey, or colorless
- Color
- White, grey, or colorless
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White, grey, or colorless; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. It can also occur in igneous veins or as a major constituent of metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist. Ages range from Precambrian to recent.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as a decorative stone, road ballast, and in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics. Sometimes used for low-grade carvings or garden landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, forming ridges and peaks in mountainous terrain. It is much more resistant to weathering than the sandstone it originated from.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel nail) and grainy, sugary texture. Common in continental shield areas and mountain belts worldwide.
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