metamorphic
Quartzite (or Quartz)
SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue-grey, white, to light green. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale blue-grey, white, to light green
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue-grey, white, to light green. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing quartz grains to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, crushed stone in road construction, building material, and as collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, making it a prominent feature in mountainous terrain as resistant ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its extreme hardness (scratches glass and steel easily) and sugary, interlocking crystalline texture. Commonly found in metamorphic belts worldwide.
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