metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal or regional metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, often dating from Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, and decorative facing, as well as in manufacturing refractories.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally resistant to weathering, which explains why mountains made of quartzite often stand out as rugged ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its tendency to fracture across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide.
More like this
