metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to pink, brown, or red, non-foliated texture, vitreous to greasy luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, color ranges from white and grey to pink, brown, or red, non-foliated texture, vitreous to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during tectonic compression in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, in manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and resistant to chemical weathering, which is why ridges formed of quartzite often persist as prominent hills or mountain crests.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of significant reaction to acid, and sugary texture on freshly broken surfaces.
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