metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow to pale orange due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous/greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Honey-yellow to pale orange due to iron oxide impurities
- Luster
- Vitreous/greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Honey-yellow to pale orange due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous/greasy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, original quartz grains recrystallize and fuse into a dense, interlocking mosaic of crystals.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and occasionally as a semi-precious gemstone for tumbling or lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks; it typically forms the jagged peaks of mountain ranges because it resists weathering better than almost any other common rock type.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its 'sugary' texture on fresh breaks. Commonly found in folded mountain belts and ancient cratons worldwide.
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