quartzite
Recrystallized silica stone
Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock formed when sandstone is subjected to intense heat and pressure, fusing the quartz grains into a dense, interlocking mass.
It's prized for countertops, flooring, and decorative stonework because of its durability and resistance to weathering.
Quartzite typically appears white or gray but may show pink, red, or other colors from mineral impurities.
Cemented grain sediment
- metamorphismHeat-pressure mineral alteration
- recrystallizationPurification through dissolving and reforming
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- pressureForce upon contact
interlocking · grains · gneiss · schist · marble · slate · foliation · regional
Surfacing native stone
- formationCreation or arrangement
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- cliffVertical rock wall
- bedrockSolid stone underground
strata · sedimentary · deposition · Cambrian · Sioux · Table Mountain · Chimney Rock · escarpment
Impervious to abrasion
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- denseClosely packed together
- durableAble to withstand use
- toughDurable and strong
resistant · impermeable · nonporous · weathering · compact · rigid · sturdy · long-lasting
Silicon dioxide compound
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- textureSurface tactile quality
- vitreousGlass-like in appearance
luster · white · pink · gray · red · iron oxide · fracture · conchoidal
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
- metamorphismHeat-pressure mineral alteration
- recrystallizationPurification through dissolving and reforming
- heatTransferred thermal energy
pressure · interlocking · grains · gneiss · schist · marble · slate · foliation · regional · contact
outcrop
Surfacing native stone
bedrock · strata · sedimentary · deposition · Cambrian · Sioux · Table Mountain · Chimney Rock · escarpment · hogback
scratch-resistant
Impervious to abrasion
tough · resistant · impermeable · nonporous · weathering · compact · rigid · sturdy · long-lasting · indestructible
silica
Silicon dioxide compound
- crystallineClear, ordered, brilliant
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- textureSurface tactile quality
vitreous · luster · white · pink · gray · red · iron oxide · fracture · conchoidal · translucent
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- mineralsmarble, granite, limestone, sandstone, slate
- rocksbasalt, granite, sandstone, marble, shale
- building materialslumber, concrete blocks, concrete, wood, brick
- durable materialstitanium, stainless steel, tungsten, diamond, carbon fiber
- earth materialsrock, soil, mud, clay, mineral