metamorphic

Quartzite Fragment

Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellowish; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (granular); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Creamy white to pale yellowish
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified July 18, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white to pale yellowish; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (granular); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing the grains to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic.

Uses & applications

Commonly used as crushed stone in construction, road surfacing, and railway ballast. High-quality quartzite is used for countertops and abrasive materials.

Geological facts

Quartzite is so durable that it often forms the ridges and peaks of mountain ranges because it resists erosion much better than surrounding rock types.