metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray, pink, yellow, or brown, non-foliated texture, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray, pink, yellow, or brown, non-foliated texture, vitreous to greasy luster, conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during tectonic compression events in mountain-building processes.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roadbeds, in manufacturing roofing tiles, and sometimes as a decorative stone or dimension stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often remain as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its sugary texture when broken, extreme hardness that easily scratches glass, and lack of fizz when tested with acid (distinguishing it from marble). Found worldwide.
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