metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray with subtle brownish banding, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, lacks visible cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray with subtle brownish banding, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure, lacks visible cleavage, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure during regional metamorphism, commonly over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why quartz-rich sandstones often transform into exceptionally tough mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by metal, lack of reaction to acid, and the way it breaks across rather than around individual quartz grains.
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