metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish, or creamy white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.8.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish, or creamy white
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish, or creamy white; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. The pink hue is typically due to trace amounts of hematite or other iron oxides during formation.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as decorative stone, railway ballast, and road aggregate. In jewelry, it is tumbled for use in necklaces or home decor. Ground quartzite is also used in glassmaking and industrial ceramics.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock in high-relief areas, frequently forming the peaks of mountains. Unlike sandstone, quartzite breaks through the sand grains rather than around them because the bond between grains is as strong as the grains themselves.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its grainy, sugary surface texture and extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass and steel). It is commonly found in ancient mountain belts and riverbeds. Collectors should look for smoothness and color vibrancy in tumbled specimens.
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