metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, and conchoidal fracture.
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, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, commonly over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for railroad ballast, and occasionally in decorative tiles or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it erodes much slower than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify by testing hardness (scratches glass) and observing that it fractures through quartz grains rather than around them; found globally in mountainous and ancient cratonic regions.
More like this
