metamorphic
Quartzite with Iron Staining
Metamorphosed Quartz-rich Arenite
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brownish-orange to grey with white veins, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granoblastic, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Brownish-orange to grey with white veins, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Granoblastic, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together, often during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used as crushed stone for road construction, railroad ballast, and occasionally as decorative stone or building cladding due to its durability.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it usually breaks through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them. The reddish-brown color is caused by iron oxide (rust) leaching into fractures.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will scratch glass and steel) and its granular, sugary texture. Common in ancient mountain belts like the Appalachians or Shield regions.
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