metamorphic
Quartzite (Iron-stained)
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale. Color ranges from reddish-orange to tan-brown due to iron oxide staining. Vitreous to dull luster, granular texture (sugary appearance), trigonal crystal system in individual quartz grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale. Color ranges from reddish-orange to tan-brown due to iron oxide staining. Vitreous to dull luster, granular texture (sugary appearance), trigonal crystal system in individual quartz grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing quartz grains to recrystallize into a dense interlocked matrix.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone or decorative landscaping stone, dimension stone, silica source in glassmaking, and for lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that when it breaks, the fracture cuts directly through individual quartz grains rather than along their boundaries, unlike regular sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its sugary, crystalline texture and extreme hardness (will easily scratch glass and steel). Commonly found in riverbeds, mountain ranges, and glacial deposits.
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