metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated massive crystal structure, and conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, commonly over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, railroad ballast, manufacturing of silica bricks, and as a decorative stone in landscaping and countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely weather-resistant, which is why mountains made of it often stand out as high, rugged ridges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and its tendency to fracture across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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