metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2 with trace impurities of iron oxides)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pink to reddish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. The pink hue is typically caused by trace amounts of hematite or other iron oxides. Specimens vary in age from Proterozoic to more recent tectonic events.
Uses & applications
Used widely in the construction industry as crushed stone for road ballast, roofing granules, and as a decorative landscaping stone. High-purity quartzite is used to produce silica sand for glassmaking and industrial abrasives.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock during erosion, forming prominent ridges or caps on mountains. It is harder than a steel knife and will easily scratch glass, distinguishing it from look-alike rocks like limestone or marble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its sugary, granular texture and extreme hardness (it cannot be scratched by a steel blade). This specific water-worn 'cobble' shape is common in glacial till and riverbeds. Found globally, notably in the Baraboo Range (USA), Brazil, and parts of Canada.
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