metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and massive or granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and massive or granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed stone, dimension stone for architecture, and for manufacturing industrial silica.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often stand out as prominent hills.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its tendency to fracture across quartz grains rather than around them; found globally.
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