metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray with yellowish-brown iron staining, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray with yellowish-brown iron staining, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high temperatures and pressures, often dating back hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction for durable road aggregate, railway ballast, and decorative facing stone, as well as in manufacturing silica refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, which is why ancient mountain ranges often weather down to ridges of pure quartzite.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its sugary texture and the fact that it fractures across the quartz grains rather than around them. Found globally in ancient tectonic collision zones.
More like this
