metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite (mostly SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 on Mohs scale, typically white, gray, pink, or reddish. Sugary texture, breaks across grain boundaries. Conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, typically white, gray, pink, or reddish. Sugary texture, breaks across grain boundaries. Conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed by metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, causing quartz grains to recrystallize and interlock.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for road base, railway ballast, and decorative stone. Sometimes used for countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and resistant to weathering that it often forms ridges and hilltops. It is much harder than the sandstone it originated from.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), sugary texture, and lack of fizzing with acid (distinguishes it from marble). Common worldwide in metamorphic terranes.
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