metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to yellowish-brown due to iron oxide impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, massive to granular crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to yellowish-brown due to iron oxide impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, massive to granular crystal structure, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert under high temperatures and pressures associated with tectonic compression during regional metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for road building, for railway ballast, in the manufacture of refractory bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or in lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of significant effervescence with acid (unlike marble), and the sugary texture of interlocking quartz grains visible on broken surfaces.
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