metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and brown, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and brown, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically occurring in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed stone for road bases, railway ballast, and in manufacturing silica bricks and glass.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed by quartzite often survive as prominent hills.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its sugary, interlocking quartz grain texture on fractured surfaces. Found worldwide.
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