metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous to dull luster, white to light grey color, granoblastic texture composed of interlocking quartz grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous to dull luster, white to light grey color, granoblastic texture composed of interlocking quartz grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, road aggregate, dimension stone for flooring and countertops, and decorative landscaping rock.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that when it breaks, the fractures cut across the quartz grains rather than along their boundaries, unlike original sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass readily) and crystalline, sugary texture. Widely found in mountainous metamorphic terrains globally.
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