metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, colors range from white to pink and red due to iron oxides, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, colors range from white to pink and red due to iron oxides, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under intense heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone, typically in mountain-building tectonic environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction, railway ballast, dimension stone, and manufactured countertops due to its extreme durability.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so durable that weathering creates boulder fields called stone rivers on mountain slopes where the rock resists erosion.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its refusal to effervesce with hydrochloric acid, unlike marble.
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