metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray, pink, or reddish due to iron impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray, pink, or reddish due to iron impurities.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure when quartz-rich sandstone recrystallizes, typically during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and the manufacturing of silica bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, often forming prominent mountain ridges. It is completely non-foliated.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its refusal to fizz with hydrochloric acid. Found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
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