metamorphic
Feldspar-rich Quartzite
Meta-arkose (Quartz-Feldspar Quartzite)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Granoblastic (granular); Cleavage: None (fractures across grains); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pinkish-tan, grey, and white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Granoblastic (granular); Cleavage: None (fractures across grains); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed via the regional metamorphism of sandstone rich in feldspar (arkose), where heat and pressure recrystallize sand grains into a solid mass. Likely Proterozoic or Paleozoic in age depending on local terrane.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as crushed stone in construction, road ballast, or as a decorative landscaping stone due to its durability and color.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks through the constituent sand grains rather than around them. It is one of the most chemically and mechanically resistant rocks on Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass) and sugary, crystalline appearance on fresh surfaces. Found globally in mountainous regions where ancient sedimentary basins have been uplifted.
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