metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, white to gray color, vitreous luster, and non-foliated massive crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and tectonic pressure, typically dating from Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, railroad ballast, dimension stone, and for manufacturing silica bricks and glass.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion, often forming prominent mountain ridges. Unlike sandstone, it breaks across the quartz grains rather than around them.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its hard, sugary texture and inability to be scratched by steel; commonly found in mountain belts worldwide.
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