metamorphic
Quartzite (or Quartz Vein Rock)
Metamorphic quartz rock (predominantly SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, white to grayish with iron oxide staining, conchoidal to uneven fracture, no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, white to grayish with iron oxide staining, conchoidal to uneven fracture, no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed via regional or contact metamorphism of quartz sandstone under intense heat and pressure, recrystallizing quartz grains into an interlocking mosaic.
Uses & applications
Used as crushed stone for railway ballast, construction aggregate, silica source in glassmaking, and decorative landscaping stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that when it breaks, it fractures through the individual quartz grains rather than along their boundaries.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its extreme hardness (easily scratches steel and glass) and sugary, granular crystalline texture; widely found in eroded mountain belts.
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