metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous luster, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, often during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, and for decorative building facades or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally durable and weathering-resistant, frequently forming prominent mountain ridges where softer rocks have eroded.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its tendency to fracture across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide.
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