metamorphic
Quartzite with inclusions
Metamorphic Rock (Mainly SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white with grey/darker mineral inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Creamy white with grey/darker mineral inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Creamy white with grey/darker mineral inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Non-foliated, granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure, typically in orogenic (mountain-building) belts. This specific specimen has been water-worn into a pebble shape.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in construction as crushed stone or ballast. High-purity quartzite is used to produce silica sand for glass making and industrial abrasives.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock layers during erosion, frequently forming the peaks of hills and mountains.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to easily scratch glass and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture that has been fused together. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits. For collectors, look for unique mineral banding or inclusions.
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