metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and pink, vitreous to dull luster, and massive non-foliated crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to gray and pink, vitreous to dull luster, and massive non-foliated crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure, typically during tectonic mountain-building events over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and the manufacture of silica brick and ferro-silicon.
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
Identify by its non-foliated texture, sugary fractured surface where quartz grains fracture through rather than around, and failure to scratch with a steel knife.
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