metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white and grey to pink or reddish; vitreous to greasy luster; non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; color ranges from white and grey to pink or reddish; vitreous to greasy luster; non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure during tectonic metamorphism over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for railroad ballast, and occasionally as a decorative facing stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges where softer rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its non-foliated texture, sugary fractured surface, and inability to be scratched by a steel knife; common worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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