metamorphic
Quartzite with Iron Staining
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to translucent quartz grains with brown/yellow iron oxide staining in the fractures, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking grains, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to translucent quartz grains with brown/yellow iron oxide staining in the fractures, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with interlocking grains, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to heat and pressure during regional or contact metamorphism, fusing the quartz grains tightly together.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, decorative landscaping, manufacturing of silica bricks, and as a raw specimen for rock and mineral collections.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often survive as prominent hills or mountain tops.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hard, sugary-textured surface where grains fracture across rather than around them, unlike ordinary sandstone. Commonly found globally in mountainous or ancient craton regions.
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