metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish in color, vitreous to greasy luster, non-foliated crystal structure with interlocking quartz grains, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in mountain-building belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, in the manufacturing of refractory bricks, and occasionally as a decorative stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often remain as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily) and the fact that it breaks across the quartz grains rather than around them, unlike sandstone.
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