metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, or gray, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, or gray, with a vitreous to greasy luster and a non-foliated massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under high heat and pressure from quartz-rich sandstone during regional metamorphism over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for road aggregate, building stone, and heavy-duty countertops, as well as in the manufacture of silica brick.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, often forming the highest ridges in mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its fused quartz grains that break across the grains rather than around them.
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