Definition
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone
  
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin
  
History
  
  
Origin
Unknown
  
USA, Australia
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Tornebohm
  
Etymology
From quartz + -ite
  
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.
  
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
  
Metamorphic Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Other Categories
Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Foliated, Granular
  
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough
  
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Grey, Purple, White, Yellow
  
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Wind Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Acid Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Appearance
Lustrous
  
Dull
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes
  
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
  
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
  
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
  
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Gold and Silver production, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Not Applicable
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As armour rock for sea walls, Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, In aquifers, Laboratory bench tops, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones, Used in aquariums
  
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
  
Types
Not Available
  
Endoskarns
  
Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
  
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits
  
Archaeological Significance
  
  
Monuments
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Sculpture
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Pictographs
Not Used
  
Not Used
  
Petroglyphs
Not Used
  
Not Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Absent
  
Absent
  
Formation
Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure.
  
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Skarn is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz
  
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
  
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Weathering
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Not Applicable
  
Erosion
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
  
Not Applicable
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
6-7
  
6.5
  
Grain Size
Medium Grained
  
Fine Grained
  
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
  
Irregular
  
Streak
White
  
Light to dark brown
  
Porosity
Less Porous
  
Less Porous
  
Luster
Vitreous
  
Waxy and Dull
  
Compressive Strength
115.00 N/mm
2
  
18
Not Available
  
Cleavage
Indiscernible
  
Slaty
  
Toughness
1.9
  
2.4
  
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.8
  
2.86
  
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
  
Opaque
  
Density
2.32-2.42 g/cm3
  
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.75 kJ/Kg K
  
18
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Heat Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
China, India, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey
  
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka
  
Africa
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe
  
South Africa, Western Africa
  
Europe
England, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, United Kingdom
  
United Kingdom
  
Others
Greenland
  
Not Yet Found
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Bahamas, Canada, USA
  
Canada
  
South America
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
  
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia
  
Central Australia, Western Australia
  
All about Quartzite and Skarn Properties
Know all about Quartzite and Skarn properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Quartzite and Skarn belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Quartzite is Foliated, Granular whereas that of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough. Quartzite appears Lustrous and Skarn appears Dull. The luster of Quartzite is vitreous while that of Skarn is waxy and dull. Quartzite is available in black, blue, brown, green, light grey, purple, white, yellow colors whereas Skarn is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Quartzite are an oil and gas reservoir, as armour rock for sea walls, cemetery markers, commemorative tablets, in aquifers, laboratory bench tops, petroleum reservoirs, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo), tombstones, used in aquariums and that of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo).