metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white and gray to pink and brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white and gray to pink and brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, no distinct cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically through tectonic compression in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roadbeds, for railway ballast, in manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as prominent mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its sugary texture on fractured surfaces and its inability to be scratched by a knife (hardness > 5.5). Found globally in ancient mountain belts.
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