metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish, vitreous luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish, vitreous luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic compression, typically over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railway ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or countertops.
Geological facts
Extremely resistant to weathering and chemical erosion, which is why quartz-rich ridges often form prominent mountain summits.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its refusal to fizz with hydrochloric acid; found globally in ancient orogens.
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