Pink Quartzite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pink to reddish-tan due to hematite; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize the quartz grains, locking them together into a dense, crystalline mass. These rocks often date back to the Proterozoic era.

Uses & Applications

Used as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction, railroad ballast, and in some industrial glass-making processes. Also popular as a landscaping stone.

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding mountains, forming the ridges of many mountain ranges. The pink color specifically is often caused by the presence of minute amounts of hematite or other iron oxides.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass and steel) and its granular, sugary texture on fresh breaks. Unlike sandstone, quartzite breaks through the grains rather than around them. Common in Precambrian shield areas.

Identified on: 4/19/2026

Mode: Standard