metamorphic
Quartzite with Hematite staining
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan and white with reddish-brown oxidation; Luster: Vitreous to greasy when wet; Structure: Granular/Granoblastic; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Tan and white with reddish-brown oxidation
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy when wet
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Tan and white with reddish-brown oxidation; Luster: Vitreous to greasy when wet; Structure: Granular/Granoblastic; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Forms when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, causing recrystallization. The reddish coloring comes from iron oxide (hematite) leaching into pores or fractures.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, as a decorative stone in landscaping, and in glass manufacturing if highly pure.
Geological facts
Quartzite is harder and more durable than its parent rock, sandstone. It is so tough that it often outlasts other surrounding rocks during erosion, forming ridges or peaks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel blade and its lack of reaction to acid. The visible crystalline texture distinguishes it from sedimentary sandstone.
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