metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to pinkish-orange color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to pinkish-orange color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional or contact metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and as decorative landscape stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it resists erosion better than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide in mountainous regions and old orogenic belts; identified easily by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and lack of effervescence with acid.
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