The Difference Between Quartz & Quartzite

Composition

• Quartz is a combination of oxygen and silicon. It is considered a crystalline rock and is found in other rocks such as granite and gneiss. Quartz is resistant to chemicals other than alkalies. Water that contains salt minerals can cause quartz to become soluble and disintegrate over time.

  Quartzite is made of sandstone and is classified as a metamorphic rock. The sandstone is altered by pressure and heat in the ground, and the result is the formation of quartzite. As the sandstone is crystallized by pressure, it becomes a stronger and smoother rock formation.

Color

• Quartz can appear in a variety of color,s including violet, rose, yellow, smoky yellow, brown and opaque. Quartzite is usually a snowy white color. Sometimes it is a pink or gray color, although these are rare.

Uses

• Due to the color variety of quartz, it is often polished and used in jewelry settings. Less appealing quartz is used in the making of porcelain, glass, wood filler and paints. When quartz is ground down to sand, it is used in mortar and cement mixes. Quartzite is commonly used for decorative patio stones or stone steps. It can also be used for walls, but it can be difficult to find large enough quantities to be quarried for building.

Strength

• Quartz and quartzite are both very strong materials. Watches made with quartz crystal are valued for resistance to breaking. Quartzite offers significant strength in the stone form but is difficult to work with, and the construction industry prefers materials that are easier to mold.

Origins

• Quartz is more common than quartzite and consequently is found in more areas of the world. Quartz in large quantities can be found in the Alps, Brazil, Madagascar, Japan, Arkansas and New York. Smaller quantities can be found in the sand of many streams.

  Quartzite is found in large quantities in the Appalachian Mountains, Utah, Wisconsin, Texas and Minnesota. Mountain ranges that appear to withstand the weathering and other impacts of natural elements are also likely to contain quartzite.