metamorphic
Quartzite with Quartz Vein
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to yellowish-brown with light cream vein, Luster: dull to vitreous, Structure: granular crystalline, Cleavage: poor/none
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to yellowish-brown with light cream vein, Luster: dull to vitreous, Structure: granular crystalline, Cleavage: poor/none
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. The distinct line is a quartz vein formed by hydrothermal fluids filling a fracture.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, gravel, and dimension stone; some aesthetic pieces are collected or used in landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense weathering better than the rocks around it, frequently capping mountains and ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and sandy, crystalline texture that breaks across grain boundaries. Found globally in ancient mountain belts.
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