metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to brown and pink, vitreous to greasy luster, interlocking crystalline structure, lacks cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, colors ranging from white to brown and pink, vitreous to greasy luster, interlocking crystalline structure, lacks cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically in mountain-building tectonic zones.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for railroad ballast, road aggregate, and dimension stone, as well as decorative counters and tiles.
Geological facts
Extremely resistant to weathering and chemical erosion, which is why parent sandstone ridges often form prominent mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, non-foliated texture and the fact that it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them; found globally in ancient orogenic belts.
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