metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, white, or brown with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, white, or brown with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often occurring in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed stone, railway ballast, and dimension stone for building facades and countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and often forms prominent ridge-forming outcrops in landscapes.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and the way it breaks across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide.
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