metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and gray, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to pink and gray, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, typically during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for road aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative building stone, as well as in manufacturing refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often survive as prominent mountain summits.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its sugary texture on broken surfaces and inability to be scratched by a steel knife; common worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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