metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically pinkish-brown to white in color with a vitreous to greasy luster, possessing a granular crystal structure and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, typically pinkish-brown to white in color with a vitreous to greasy luster, possessing a granular crystal structure and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone or chert under intense heat and pressure during regional metamorphism, often over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone for road bases, dimension stone for architecture, and occasionally in decorative landscaping or countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it erodes much slower than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and its fused quartz grains that break across the grains rather than around them. Found globally in ancient mountain belts.
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