metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, and a specific gravity of around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, and a specific gravity of around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically occurring in mountain-building regions over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, in making railroad ballast, and as a decorative stone or dimension stone for countertops and flooring.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as high mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its resistance to scratching by a steel blade, its granular sugary texture on broken surfaces, and the fact that it breaks across the quartz grains rather than around them.
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