metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, or light gray; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, or light gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, or light gray; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular texture); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure causes quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together, often in orogenic (mountain-building) zones.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in landscaping, crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and occasionally for high-end countertops or tiles.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it usually breaks through the quartz grains rather than along their boundaries. It is often confused with marble but can be distinguished by its superior hardness.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and its granular, sugary texture. Often found in rounded cobble form in riverbeds or as massive outcrops in ancient mountain ranges.
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