metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray with iron-oxide staining.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and colors ranging from white to gray with iron-oxide staining.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during tectonic mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, road aggregate, manufacturing of silica bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and a sugary texture on broken surfaces; found worldwide in ancient orogenic belts.
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