metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 7, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray with pink or green banding.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 7, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray with pink or green banding.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as a decorative gemstone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming the highest mountain ridges in a landscape.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and lack of effervescence with acid; commonly found globally in ancient mountain belts.
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