metamorphic
Red Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granular/Granoblastic; Cleavage: None; Density: ~2.65 g/cm3.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Granular/Granoblastic; Cleavage: None; Density: ~2.65 g/cm3.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the recrystallization of quartz-rich sandstone through intense heat and pressure (regional metamorphism). The red color indicates the presence of hematite or other iron oxides during formation.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction and railway ballast, and occasionally for lapidary work like tumbling.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks through the individual quartz grains rather than around them. It is one of the most durable rocks on the Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture that doesn't rub off. Commonly found in mountainous regions or as water-worn pebbles in riverbeds.
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