metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish-brown with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated crystalline structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish-brown with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated crystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, commonly occurring in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and crushed stone for road aggregates.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent ridges and mountains because it resists erosion better than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, interlocking quartz grains that do not fizz with hydrochloric acid and will scratch glass easily; found globally in ancient orogenic zones.
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