metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, granular texture, vitreous to dull luster, typically gray, brown, or white, with no cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, granular texture, vitreous to dull luster, typically gray, brown, or white, with no cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railway ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent ridges and mountain peaks.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of reactivity to acid; found worldwide in ancient orogenic belts.
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