metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic quartz rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, white to gray or reddish color due to iron oxide impurities.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, white to gray or reddish color due to iron oxide impurities.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, as railroad ballast, in manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as a decorative dimension stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its granular, sugary texture on broken surfaces; found worldwide.
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