metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray or brown, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a massive, non-foliated crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray or brown, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a massive, non-foliated crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often occurring during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and decorative building facades.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally durable and weather-resistant, which is why ridges made of it often form prominent mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its inability to be scratched by steel and its granular, sugar-like fractured surface; found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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