Quartzite

The parent rock for quartzite is quartz-rich sandstone. As sandstone becomes deeply buried, rising temperature will fuse the quartz grains together forming the extremely hard and weather-resistant rock quartzite. Like marble, quartzite comes in many colors, but when pure it is light-colored. Quartzite tends to have a sugary appearance, and when broken the fractures cut through the sand grains, not around them as with a sandstone.

Physical Properties of Quartzite

Physically, they are very Hard, Compact, Fine grained, equi-granular homogeneous rocks of metamorphic nature (Quartzite).

Color	Minor color tonal variations exist but within the tolerance limit.
Hardness	6.5 to 7 on Moh's Scale
Density	2.3 to 2.4 Kg/cm3
Compressive Strength	90 to 140 N/mm2
Modulus of Rupture	16-40 N/mm2
Water Absorption	1.0 - 1.2 %
Porosity	Low to very low.
Weather Impact	Resistant

Chemical Properties of Quartzite

Chemically they are very resistant Mono-Mineralic rocks, principally composed of silica. The other minor constituents vary from origin to origin.

SiO2	95-97%
Iron (Fe2O3)	0.5%-1.5%
Alumina (Al2O3)	1 to 1.5%
Soda (Na2O) & Potash (Kro)	Less then 1%
Lime (CaO)	Less then 0.5%
Magnesia (MgO)	Less then 0.5%
Loss On Ignition (LOI)	Less then 0.5%

They are highly resistant to acids, alkalies and thermal impact. Insolubility in acids and alkalies is about 97%.

Uses of Quartzite

• Usually dyed to some pleasing color -- has been tumbled or otherwise fashioned into decorative items.
• Quartzite is the raw material for the glass and ceramics industries

Colour of Quartzite

• White
• Grey
• Reddish

Texture of Quartzite

Medium-grained; usually of a granoblastic texture

Occurances of Quartzite

Italy	Cuneo, Piedmont Region, Snive Quarry, Robilante
Sweden	Wasa Sten
Norway	Austertena (largest in world)