metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, white to pinkish color, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous luster, white to pinkish color, and a non-foliated massive crystal structure with conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic metamorphism, often over hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, road aggregate, manufacturing of ferrosilicon, and occasionally as decorative stone or in lapidary.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which explains why ancient quartz sandstone mountain ranges often survive as quartzite ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by steel and lack of effervescence with acid; commonly found in mountainous or glaciated regions worldwide.
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