Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone of high strength with a wide range of colors. Natural beauty and durability make it an excellent material for interior design, exterior decoration of buildings, and monumental construction. The famous French architect of the 19th century, Louis Visconti, used crimson Shoshka quartzite (the deposit located in Karelia) to create a sarcophagus for Napoleon Bonaparte.

It is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of quartz, one of the most abundant minerals in the earth's crust. Quartzite was formed by metamorphism (structural change under the influence of high temperatures and pressure) from siliceous sediments. Most often, its formation is associated with the recrystallization of quartz sandstones or igneous rocks, such as porphyry.

The stone has a dense granular structure: microscopic grains of quartz merge into a solid mass with a splintered or concave fracture. At a fracture, the stone has a typical quartz luster. According to the classification of M. Bauer, the type belongs to semi-precious ornamental stones. This order also includes malachite, jasper, and jade. Basic shades: white, gray, red. In nature, quartzites are also found in other colors: light yellow, brown, blue.

Many varieties of quartzite are valuable minerals. Ferruginous (magnetite) quartzites are the most important iron ore. Secondary quartzites are a special variety. Deposits of secondary quartzites are formed as a result of relatively low-temperature metasomatic transformation of acidic and intermediate effusive, less-often intrusive acidic rocks and their tuffs. Deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, polymetals and pyrites are associated with secondary quartzites.

Physical Characteristics of Quartzite:

• Density 2680 kg/m3
• Texture massive, slate, spotted
• The structure is granular
• Specific heat capacity 0.7 kJ/kg*С0
• Compressive strength 200-263 MPa
• Thermal expansion coefficient 12-13 (10-6 /K)
• Color grey, grey-blue, raspberry

The color is different, and has a monotonous color. Density 2.6 g/cm3. The compressive strength reaches 450 MPa. The structure is fine-grained, fine-grained. It has a high hardness (leaves a scratch on the glass). Strong, loud. The grain surfaces are uneven (no cleavage). Brilliant when broken.

Quartzite is characterized by a granular structure, quartz content, high hardness (leaves a scratch on glass), uneven grain surfaces (no cleavage), and a shiny fractured surface. Quartzite is most similar to marble in appearance. It differs from marble in greater hardness (it scratches glass) and in that it does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Composition of quartzites

Mineralogical composition: quartz SiO2 up to 98%, impurities of mica, feldspar, talc, etc.

Chemical composition: quartz SiO2 98%, Al2O3 0.5%, Fe2O3 0.45%, MnO 0.2%, etc.

Application of quartzite

Among the rocks, quartzite has no equal in terms of durability. Extremely heat-resistant! It is manufactured as refractory bricks - dinas, grindstones, millstones, bars, slabs and crushed stone (used in road work, for concrete work). Raspberry quartzite is used as decorative stones for stoves; even small fireplaces are made from it. In addition, it is used as a facing, decorative, and even ornamental material (refers to semi-precious ornamental stones of the best quality).

Quartzite price

Quartzite products are priced higher than some types but are in line with other materials such as quartz, granite or marble. There are a number of prices based on these factors:

• Type of quartzite: its color, texture, country of origin, etc.
• The complexity of the production of products: the more complex the shape of the countertop, for example, many curved lines, complex figured end profiles, etc.
• Difficulty of installation: several connecting parts, a large number of seams

The cost estimate for the piece will be based on the various variables listed above, but typical prices are $65-85 per square foot and $100 or more per square foot for more exotic quartzite.