metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or greenish with a vitreous to greasy luster. It has a massive, granular crystal structure with interlocking quartz crystals and lacks noticeable cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or greenish with a vitreous to greasy luster. It has a massive, granular crystal structure with interlocking quartz crystals and lacks noticeable cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high temperatures and tectonic pressure over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction as crushed stone for roadbeds, railway ballast, building facades, roofing tiles, and countertops due to its high durability.
Geological facts
Because quartz is extremely resistant to weathering, quartzite mountains often form rugged, prominent ridges in many mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its sugary texture on fractured surfaces and its inability to be scratched by a knife or steel nail (Mohs hardness > 6). Commonly found in ancient mountain belts and regional metamorphic terranes worldwide.
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