metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or reddish-brown due to iron oxides, with a vitreous to greasy luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or reddish-brown due to iron oxides, with a vitreous to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high heat and pressure, commonly during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone for road bases, railroad ballast, and as a decorative building stone or countertop material.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it outlasts surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its inability to be scratched by a knife and its characteristic sugary texture on fractured surfaces; found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
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