metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, or gray, with a vitreous to greasy luster and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, or gray, with a vitreous to greasy luster and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction, dimension stone, railroad ballast, and the production of silica brick.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by glass and its fused quartz grain texture, commonly found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
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