metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, often white, gray, or yellowish-brown due to iron oxide staining, with a massive or interlocking crystalline structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, often white, gray, or yellowish-brown due to iron oxide staining, with a massive or interlocking crystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional or contact metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction, railroad ballast, decorative aggregates, and occasionally for countertops and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its tendency to fracture across, rather than around, quartz grains.
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