metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and gray to pink or yellowish due to iron oxides, vitreous to greasy luster, massive to granular crystal structure, no good cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and gray to pink or yellowish due to iron oxides, vitreous to greasy luster, massive to granular crystal structure, no good cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure conditions from quartz-rich sandstone during regional or contact metamorphism, typically dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roadbeds, in manufacturing railroad ballast, decorative aggregates, countertops, and occasional monumental stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent ridges and mountain peaks because it resists erosion much better than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of effervescence with acid, and the fused quartz grains visible on broken surfaces. Found worldwide.
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