metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and brown, vitreous luster, and non-foliated granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and brown, vitreous luster, and non-foliated granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic compression, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and occasionally for decorative landscaping or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally resistant to chemical weathering and erosion, often forming prominent mountain ridges. It is harder than the original sandstone it formed from.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its granular, sugary fracture surface where quartz grains break through rather than around them. Found globally.
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