Quartzite with Quartz Veins

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grayish-green matrix with white/tan veins; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granular/Massive; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).

Formation & Geological History

Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing recrystallization. The white veins are from hydrothermal fluids filling cracks.

Uses & Applications

Used in construction as crushed stone or decorative landscaping. High-purity quartzite is used to produce silica sand for glassmaking.

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, forming ridges or hills. It is harder than steel and will easily scratch glass.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its extreme hardness and grainy, sandpaper-like texture that has been fused into a crystalline mass. Common in riverbeds and mountainous glacial deposits.

Identified on: 4/26/2026

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