Quartzite stone is an extremely compact, hard, granular rock consisting essentially of quartz. It often occurs as silicified sandstone, as in sarsen stones.
 

The interlocking crystalline structure of Quartzite makes it a hard, tough, durable rock. It is so tough that it breaks through the quartz grains rather than breaking along the boundaries between them. This is a characteristic that separates true quartzite from sandstone.
 

Architectural Use

In architecture, marble and granite have been the favorite materials for thousands of years. Quartzite, with a Mohs hardness of seven along with greater toughness, is superior to both in many uses. The use of quartzite is growing slowly as more people learn about it. Quartzite has a diversity of uses in construction, manufacturing, architecture, and decorative arts. It stands up better to abrasion in stair treads, floor tiles, and countertops. It is more resistant to most chemicals and environmental conditions. It is available in a range of neutral colors that many people prefer.