metamorphic
Red Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to pink due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown to pink due to iron oxide impurities
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown to pink due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize the quartz grains into a dense, interlocking matrix. Usually Proterozoic or Paleozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and occasionally in jewelry as or for lapidary work.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often breaks across the original sand grains rather than around them. It is one of the most chemically and physically resistant rocks found on Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass easily) and its sugary, crystalline appearance on fresh surfaces. Often found in mountain ranges or as water-worn pebbles in riverbeds.
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