Where is Quartzite found?
Metamorphic rock, primarily quartz
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Open the appQuartzite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Quartzite
Appalachian Mountains, USA
Extensive quartzite formations are found throughout the Appalachian Orogen, particularly in states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee, often forming prominent ridges due to its resistance to erosion.
Baraboo Range, Wisconsin, USA
Famous for its Precambrian Baraboo Quartzite, known for its distinctive purple-red color and excellent preservation of sedimentary structures.
Brazil
Significant deposits of high-quality quartzite, including exotic varieties used for decorative purposes, are found in various states, particularly Minas Gerais.
India
Widespread occurrences in the Aravalli Range and other ancient shield areas, used extensively as building material.
Scotland
The Cambrian-age Eriboll Quartzite in the Northwest Highlands is a classic example, forming distinctive white peaks.
Collecting tips
- Look for Resistant Ridges. Quartzite is highly resistant to erosion, so it often forms prominent ridges, hogbacks, and mountain peaks in metamorphic terrains. Look for these topographic features on geological maps.
- Examine Fracture Surfaces. A key diagnostic feature is its fracture. Unlike sandstone, which tends to break around individual sand grains, quartzite breaks through the grains, producing a smooth, often conchoidal fracture surface that feels gritty but not sandy.
- Perform a Hardness Test. Quartzite is very hard (Mohs 7). It will scratch steel and glass. This distinguishes it from softer rocks.
- Check for Relict Sedimentary Structures. While typically obliterated, sometimes relict bedding, cross-bedding, or ripple marks from the original sandstone protolith can be observed, providing clues to its origin.
- Consider the Geological Context. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock. It will be found in areas that have undergone significant regional or contact metamorphism, often alongside other metamorphic rocks like slate, schist, and gneiss.
Quick Check
- Color:
- White, gray, or various colors due to impurities
- Luster:
- Vitreous to greasy
- Streak:
- White
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