metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and gray to pink or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65.
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, color ranges from white and gray to pink or brown, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone, typically subjected to high heat and pressure within the Earth's crust, often dating from Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roadbeds, railway ballast, manufacturing of silica brick, and sometimes as a decorative dimension stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed by quartzite layers often endure as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily), inability to be scratched by a knife, and the way it breaks across quartz grains rather than around them.
More like this
