metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 on Mohs scale; light grey to white with orange/brown iron staining; dull to vitreous luster; granular crystalline texture; lack of cleavage, breaks with conchoidal or uneven fracture; specific gravity ~2.6-2.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale; light grey to white with orange/brown iron staining; dull to vitreous luster; granular crystalline texture; lack of cleavage, breaks with conchoidal or uneven fracture; specific gravity ~2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone, where high heat and pressure fuse quartz grains into a dense interlocking network.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, road ballast, dimension stone, counter tops, and decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to chemical and physical weathering, often forming prominent ridges and hilltops in mountain belts.
Field identification & locations
Field identification: hard enough to scratch glass (Mohs 7), granular sugar-like appearance on fresh breaks, does not effervesce with acid. Widely found in mountainous metamorphic terrains.
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