metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and tan, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure with poor cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and tan, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure with poor cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for railroad ballast, and occasionally in decorative masonry and countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often remain as prominent hills.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its fused quartz grains that break across rather than around the grains. Commonly found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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