metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster, and a massive non-foliated crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or pinkish with a vitreous to greasy luster, and a massive non-foliated crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, commonly originating in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for road aggregate, railroad ballast, and dimension stone, as well as in the manufacture of refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, often forming prominent ridge lines and peaks in mountainous terrain.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by a knife and the way it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them, commonly found globally in ancient orogenic zones.
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