metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray, vitreous to greasy luster, and conchoidal fracture with no prominent cleavage.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray, vitreous to greasy luster, and conchoidal fracture with no prominent cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, commonly during mountain-building tectonic events.
Uses & applications
Used extensively as crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and as a decorative building and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming the highest ridges in mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its sugary texture and inability to be scratched by a steel knife, found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
More like this
