metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from white and gray to pink or brown depending on impurities. Vitreous to greasy luster with a massive or granular crystal structure and indistinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from white and gray to pink or brown depending on impurities. Vitreous to greasy luster with a massive or granular crystal structure and indistinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, typically over hundreds of millions of years in mountain-building zones.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, and decorative aggregate, as well as in the manufacturing of refractory bricks and silica. Collector value is generally low for common samples.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as high mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, interlocking quartz grains that will scratch glass and do not fizz with hydrochloric acid. Found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
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