metamorphic
Quartzite with Chlorite Bands
Meta-quartzite with Chlorite (Mg,Fe,Li)6AlSi3O10(OH)8
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to grey with green bands, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granular/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: White to grey with green bands, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granular/Microcrystalline, Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz sandstone (protolith). High temperature and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize. The green bands originate from clay or iron-rich impurities that transformed into chlorite during metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, aquarium gravel, or crushed stone in construction. Polished pebbles are popular in landscaping and lapidary crafts.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it usually breaks through the quartz grains rather than along their boundaries. Some banded quartzites are billions of years old, surviving multiple tectonic cycles.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its sugary, granular texture. Commonly found in riverbeds and glacial deposits in mountainous regions. Collectors look for unique banding patterns.
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