metamorphic
Quartzite with Hematite staining
Quartzite (primarily SiO2) with Iron Oxide (Fe2O3) inclusions
Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: White to pink/reddish brown (due to hematite); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal system: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven.
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs)
- Color
- White to pink/reddish brown (due to hematite)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs); Color: White to pink/reddish brown (due to hematite); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal system: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse. The reddish hue indicates the presence of iron oxides (hematite) during or after formation.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone, in construction as crushed stone, and sometimes as a minor source of silica in glass manufacturing or as a landscaping rock.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks through the constituent quartz grains rather than around them, which is a key distinction from sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of reaction to acid. Often found in mountainous regions or ancient continental shields. Common in regions like the Appalachians or the Great Lakes area.
