metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white, gray, or pinkish in color with a massive crystalline structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and typically white, gray, or pinkish in color with a massive crystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, typically during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, railway ballast, dimension stone, and in the manufacture of silica brick and ferroalloy.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming the resistant ridges of mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its tendency to fracture across rather than around quartz grains.
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