metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Metamorphosed Quartz Sandstone (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-orange to white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-orange to white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-orange to white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Quartzite forms through the metamorphism of quartz sandstone. High heat and pressure cause the quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. The pink color is usually due to iron oxide (hematite) staining.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, road ballast, and decorative stone. Sometimes used for lapidary work or as garden accents due to its durability and color.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that when broken, it fractures through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them, unlike its parent sandstone. It is significantly harder than steel.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass and its granular, sugary texture. It is commonly found in fold mountain belts throughout the world, such as the Appalachian Mountains or the Precambrian shields.
More like this
