metamorphic
Quartzite (or Quartz Slab)
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to off-white with grey and yellowish-brown veining/flecks. Luster: Vitreous to dull depending on finish. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline aggregate). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull depending on finish
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: White to off-white with grey and yellowish-brown veining/flecks. Luster: Vitreous to dull depending on finish. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline aggregate). Cleavage: None. Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone undergoes intense heat and pressure during regional metamorphism, fusing the quartz grains together into a dense, crystalline rock.
Uses & applications
Widely used as an architectural stone for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, floor tiles, wall cladding, and decorative indoor/outdoor surfacing due to its extreme durability and resistance to scratching.
Geological facts
Pure quartzite is white or light grey, but iron oxides or other minerals often impart pink, red, yellow, or brown tones. True quartzite is much harder and more chemical-resistant than marble, though engineered quartz composites are sometimes marketed under similar names.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its sugary, granular texture that does not scratch easily with steel (unlike marble). Common in mountainous regions undergoing historical tectonic compression worldwide, such as the Appalachians, Alps, and parts of Brazil.
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