metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white and gray to pink or green depending on impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white and gray to pink or green depending on impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically through tectonic compression in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, railway ballast, manufacturing of silica brick, and sometimes as a decorative stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges made of quartzite often form prominent mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife, granular texture, and sugary appearance on broken surfaces. Found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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