metamorphic

Quartzite

Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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.

Identified July 31, 2026More metamorphic →

Explore Quartzite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

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.