metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7; Color: usually white to light gray, can be various shades depending on impurities (tan in this case); Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: massive granular; Cleavage: none; Specific gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7
- Luster
- vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7; Color: usually white to light gray, can be various shades depending on impurities (tan in this case); Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: massive granular; Cleavage: none; Specific gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Metamorphosed sandstone, formed under high heat and pressure, typically found in ancient mountain belts and river deposits as weathered cobbles.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as ballast, decorative stone, and sometimes in landscaping.
Geological facts
Because it is so hard, quartzite is very resistant to weathering, which is why it often survives as rounded river stones or beach pebbles after other rocks have eroded away.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its sugary or granular texture, extreme hardness (will scratch glass), and typically conchoidal fracture. Found worldwide in areas of past tectonic activity or as alluvial deposits.
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