metamorphic
Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown, Luster: dull to vitreous, Crystal structure: granular, Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown, Luster: dull to vitreous, Crystal structure: granular, Cleavage: none, Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure, causing recrystallization into a dense, interlocking structure.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in road construction, as railroad ballast, for heavy-duty paving, and occasionally for decorative stone in gardens.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it can scratch glass and steel. It is more resistant to weathering than the sandstone it originated from, often forming the crests of ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness and sandy texture that does not rub off. Found worldwide in mountain ranges and glaciated regions (as pebbles in riverbeds).
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