metamorphic
Red and White Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, white and red/orange coloration due to iron oxide staining, conchoidal fracture, trigonal crystal system when visible, specific gravity around 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, white and red/orange coloration due to iron oxide staining, conchoidal fracture, trigonal crystal system when visible, specific gravity around 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during tectonic mountain-building events (regional metamorphism), often dating from Precambrian to Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, decorative landscaping, road aggregate, and occasionally tumbled or carved for ornamental purposes or stone collecting.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, which is why quartz-rich rocks often form prominent mountain ridges as softer surrounding rocks erode away.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass easily), lack of effervescence with acid, and the fused quartz grains that break across the grains rather than around them.
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