metamorphic
Quartzite with Quartz Crystal Vug
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white and grey to amber and brown due to iron oxide staining; vitreous to waxy luster; massive, granular crystal structure with microcrystalline quartz infill; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white and grey to amber and brown due to iron oxide staining; vitreous to waxy luster; massive, granular crystal structure with microcrystalline quartz infill; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically through tectonic metamorphism. The cavity or fracture inside (vug) was later filled with hydrothermal silica-rich fluids precipitating secondary quartz crystals.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative stone, construction materials, and as collector specimens.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to weathering, which is why quartz-rich parent rocks often survive erosion to form prominent ridges and mountains.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of effervescence with acid, and the sugary texture of interlocking quartz grains on freshly broken surfaces. Found worldwide in regions with ancient mountain-building events.
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