metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and pink, vitreous to greasy luster, and a dense interlocking quartz crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and pink, vitreous to greasy luster, and a dense interlocking quartz crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to regional or contact metamorphism, often over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone for road bases, dimension stone for architecture, and occasionally in the manufacture of silica brick and glass.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally durable and weather-resistant, which is why ridges formed from quartzite often form prominent, resistant mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, non-foliated texture and the fact that it fractures across the quartz grains rather than around them; found globally in mountainous or ancient craton regions.
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