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Quartzite is a dense and durable rock largely consisting of the mineral quartz. It has many aesthetic and practical uses, e.g. in jewellery and 'shingle' paving.
Metamorphic: Made from sandstone, where the original quartz grains recrystallise and fuse together
Source location: Westland.
Sizes: Choose from dropdown menu either Shelf specimen (300–800g), or Hand specimen (150-300g), or Small specimen (less than 150g).
Note: Images are examples of specimens only. Sizes and shapes will vary.
More detail
Structure
Quartzite has a dense and durable structure formed through the metamorphism of sandstone, where the original quartz grains recrystallise and fuse together.
Type
Metamorphic (consisting of more than 90% quartz).
Physical properties of quartzite
- Colour: Can have various colours, including white, grey, yellow, pink, or brown, depending on impurities and mineral content.
- Lustre: Vitreous or glassy.
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale, making it highly resistant to scratching and abrasion.
- Density: Ranges from 2.65 to 2.75 grams per cubic centimetre.
- Fracture: Displays a conchoidal fracture, with smooth, curved surfaces resembling the interior of a seashell.
General properties of quartzite
- Durability: Highly durable and resistant to weathering, pressure, and chemical attack.
- Heat Resistance: Exhibits excellent heat resistance, making it suitable for applications exposed to high temperatures.
- Acid Resistance: Generally resistant to acids, alkalis, and chemical weathering.
- Low Water Absorption: Low water absorption, making it resistant to staining and moisture damage.
- Non-Slip Surface: The textured surface of quartzite provides good slip resistance, making it ideal for flooring applications.
- Aesthetics: Often showcases attractive patterns, veining, and colour variations, enhancing its desirability for decorative purposes.
Uses of quartzite in New Zealand and worldwide
- Construction: Widely used in construction, including for walls, flooring, countertops, and roofing, owing to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
- Landscaping: Employed in landscaping projects for pathways, garden features, walls, and decorative purposes, adding natural beauty to outdoor spaces.
- Dimension Stone: Cut and polished into slabs or blocks, quartzite finds application in cladding, countertops, and other architectural elements.
- Railway Ballast: Serves as a crushed stone for railway ballast, providing stability and efficient drainage to railway tracks.
- Metallurgical Industry: Acts as a fluxing agent in the smelting process, aiding the removal of impurities during metal production.
- Geological Studies: Studied by geologists to understand metamorphic processes, ancient environments, and the geological history of Earth's crust.