metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or yellowish-brown, vitreous to greasy luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or yellowish-brown, vitreous to greasy luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, typically during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for crushed stone, railroad ballast, and decorative facing, as well as in manufacturing refractories.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, which explains why ancient mountain ranges often leave behind ridges of quartzite.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its fused quartz grains that break across rather than around the grains.
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