metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, gray, pink, or yellowish color; vitreous to greasy luster; non-foliated crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, gray, pink, or yellowish color; vitreous to greasy luster; non-foliated crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains; conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage; specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone or chert under high temperatures and pressures, commonly during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roadbeds, railway ballast, manufacturing silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its extreme hardness (scratches glass easily), sugary texture on fractured surfaces, and lack of reaction to acid. Found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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