metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, gray, or pinkish color; vitreous luster; non-foliated granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; white, gray, or pinkish color; vitreous luster; non-foliated granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under intense heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional or contact metamorphism.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone, railway ballast, and dimension stone for countertops and flooring.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming prominent mountain ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and lack of effervescence with acid; found globally in mountainous and ancient cratonic regions.
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