metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and compact granular crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, conchoidal fracture, and compact granular crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic compression.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, road aggregate, manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which explains why mountains made of it often stand out as prominent ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its inability to be scratched by a knife and the way it breaks across rather than around quartz grains.
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