metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or reddish-pink, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white, gray, or reddish-pink, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, commonly originating in ancient mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and for manufacturing silica refractory bricks.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, often forming prominent mountain ridges and peaks that outlast surrounding rock layers.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its tendency to fracture across quartz grains rather than around them; found worldwide.
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