metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white and gray to shades of pink, yellow, or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystalline structure, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white and gray to shades of pink, yellow, or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystalline structure, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically through tectonic compression in orogenic belts over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, railroad ballast, decorative aggregates, countertops, and occasionally for carving or lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, interlocking quartz grains that do not fizz with acid and cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Commonly found in mountainous regions worldwide.
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