metamorphic
Pink Quartzite Pebble
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or peach with white mottled patches; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy when weathered; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Fracture: Conchoidal to irregular; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, salmon, or peach with white mottled patches
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull/waxy when weathered
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or peach with white mottled patches; Luster: Vitreous to dull/waxy when weathered; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Fracture: Conchoidal to irregular; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events (orogeny). The pink hue is caused by trace amounts of hematite or other iron oxides. The rounded shape suggests it was weathered and transported by water.
Uses & applications
Large-scale deposits are used for crushed stone in construction, railway ballast, and as a decorative landscaping stone. Polished pebbles are used in aquarium decor and lithotherapy.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, forming resistant ridges. It is harder than steel, meaning it will easily scratch a knife blade or glass.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness and grainy, sugary texture under a hand lens. It lacks the smooth, translucent 'jelly' look of true rose quartz. It is commonly found in glacial till or riverbeds in the Midwestern United States and Canada.
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