metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from white and grey to pink and red due to iron oxide impurities. Luster is vitreous to greasy with a non-foliated, granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from white and grey to pink and red due to iron oxide impurities. Luster is vitreous to greasy with a non-foliated, granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone for road bases, railway ballast, and as a decorative building stone or dimension stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent ridges and mountain peaks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its sugary texture, inability to be scratched by a knife, and the way it breaks across rather than around quartz grains.
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