metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or yellowish-brown, with a vitreous to greasy luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or yellowish-brown, with a vitreous to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for decorative aggregates, and occasionally as a gemstone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges made of quartzite often form prominent mountain peaks.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and the way it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them.
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