metamorphic
Quartzite on Matrix
Crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) within metamorphic matrix
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: whitish-pink crystal area on brownish-grey matrix; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- whitish-pink crystal area on brownish-grey matrix
- Luster
- vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: whitish-pink crystal area on brownish-grey matrix; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure, causing the original quartz grains and silica cement to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as a decorative stone, in glassmaking if pure, and for landscaping. Small raw specimens are primarily for study or introductory collecting.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock in weathering processes, frequently forming the peaks of ridges or hills. It is often confused with marble but can be distinguished by its hardness.
Field identification & locations
Field identification involves testing hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and observing the conchoidal fracture. It does not fizz when exposed to acid, unlike limestone or marble.
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