metamorphic
Yellow Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale yellow to golden
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure during regional metamorphism, causing the quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. Most deposits date from the Proterozoic or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, in construction as crushed stone or dimensional stone, and occasionally for lapidary work and landscaping.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks; it commonly forms the peaks of mountain ranges. It is harder and more durable than the sandstone from which it originated.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and its crystalline appearance where the grains are fused. Found globally in ancient mountain belts including the Appalachian Mountains and the Alps.
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