metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to brown and gray, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to brown and gray, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic compression over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for road aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative facing stone, as well as in manufacturing metallurgical silica.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it erodes much slower than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its sugary texture, inability to be scratched by a knife, and the way it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them.
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