metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, translucent to opaque, colors range from white and gray to pink, red, or orange due to iron oxide impurities, lacks cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, translucent to opaque, colors range from white and gray to pink, red, or orange due to iron oxide impurities, lacks cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert through the process of regional or contact metamorphism, where high heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as a decorative stone, in countertops, for manufacturing glass and silica bricks, and in landscaping and rock tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often survive as prominent hills or mountain ranges while surrounding softer rocks erode.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide in mountainous regions and areas with ancient sedimentary deposits. It can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), sugary fracture texture, and inability to effervesce with acid.
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