metamorphic
Quartz Vein Quartzite
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone / SiO2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, white to gray color, and a conchoidal fracture with no distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, white to gray color, and a conchoidal fracture with no distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the intense thermal and pressure metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction aggregate, crushed stone for railroads, and sometimes in manufacturing specialty glass or silicon.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which explains why ancient quartz veins often survive as prominent ridges in the landscape.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its tendency to break across quartz grains rather than around them. Found globally.
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