metamorphic
White quartz-rich metamorphic rock, likely quartzite
Quartzite; predominantly quartz (SiO₂), possibly with minor feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide staining
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 7 Mohs; white to gray, granular and weakly foliated, with a vitreous to dull luster. Quartz lacks cleavage and commonly shows irregular fracture; the dark patches may be mica or weathered accessory minerals.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 7 Mohs; white to gray, granular and weakly foliated, with a vitreous to dull luster. Quartz lacks cleavage and commonly shows irregular fracture; the dark patches may be mica or weathered accessory minerals.
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone was recrystallized under heat and pressure during mountain-building; its exact geological age cannot be determined from the photograph. The original sandstone may be Precambrian to much younger.
Uses & applications
Used as crushed stone, aggregate, road material, building stone, countertops, and decorative rock; attractive varieties are collected but are rarely valuable as gemstones.
Geological facts
Quartzite is typically tougher and more resistant to weathering than its sandstone precursor. Strong recrystallization can erase original sand grains and bedding.
Field identification & locations
Likely quartzite if it scratches glass and breaks across grains rather than around them; dilute acid should not fizz unless carbonate minerals are present. Common in metamorphic belts worldwide, including India, Brazil, Scandinavia, and the United States.
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