metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish in color, with a vitreous to greasy luster and conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically white to gray or pinkish in color, with a vitreous to greasy luster and conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional or contact metamorphism over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, for railway ballast, and occasionally as a decorative dimension stone or in countertops.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent ridges and peaks in mountainous landscapes as it resists erosion.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its refusal to effervesce in acid; found worldwide in ancient mountain belts.
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