metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to pink/reddish (due to iron oxide impurities); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline/saccharoidal texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White to pink/reddish (due to iron oxide impurities)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: White to pink/reddish (due to iron oxide impurities); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (microcrystalline/saccharoidal texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under high heat and pressure, the individual quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. These rocks are found in ancient mountain belts and cratons globally, often dating back hundreds of millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used as crushed stone for road construction and railway ballast due to its extreme hardness. It is also used as dimension stone in architecture (tiles, countertops) and occasionally in jewelry as ornmental lapidary material.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, forming resistant ridges and hilltops. Unlike marble (which it can resemble), quartzite will not react with acid and cannot be scratched by a steel knife.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its grainy, 'sugary' texture and high hardness (it will easily scratch glass). It typically breaks across the grains rather than around them. Common in the Appalachian Mountains, Lake Superior region, and Brazil.
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