metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray and pink, glassy to sub-vitreous luster, and massive crystal structure with no visible cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray and pink, glassy to sub-vitreous luster, and massive crystal structure with no visible cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high temperatures and pressures, typically during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone, dimension stone for flooring and wall facings, and in the manufacturing of refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often form prominent mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by a knife and the way it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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