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 and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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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 and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, often dating back hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, road aggregate, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, which is why ridges made of quartzite often form prominent mountain crests.
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; found worldwide.
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