metamorphic
Banded Quartzite
Quartzite (principally SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with dark grey bands; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Massive, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown with dark grey bands
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown with dark grey bands; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Massive, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. The red color is typically due to iron oxide (hematite) staining, while the banding represents original sedimentary layers or mineral segregation during intense heat and pressure.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in landscaping, crushed aggregate in construction, and occasionally for lapidary work like polishing or tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough and resistant to chemical weathering that it often forms the ridges and peaks of mountain ranges. It is harder than steel and will scratch glass easily.
Field identification & locations
Look for a very hard, granular texture where individual quartz grains are fused together. Unlike sandstone, quartzite breaks through the quartz grains rather than around them. Common in glacial till and riverbeds in tectonic regions.
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