metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-orange; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink to reddish-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-orange; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, the individual quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. The pink color is usually due to traces of iron oxide (hematite) or other mineral inclusions.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, railway track ballast, or crushed stone. Polished specimens are used in jewelry, landscaping, and as decorative architectural stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives intense erosion that wears away surrounding softer rocks, frequently forming the tops of ridges and mountains. It is harder than steel and can easily scratch glass.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (it will scratch a steel knife blade) and its granular, sugary texture when broken. It is commonly found in metamorphic terranes and riverbeds as rounded 'river rocks'.
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