Pink Quartzite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-brown due to hematite; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Texture: Granular; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); High durability.

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. Often found in Precambrian shield areas.

Uses & Applications

Used as decorative stone in landscaping, crushed stone for road construction and railway ballast, and occasionally for carving or jewelry (tumbled stones).

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so tough that it usually breaks through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them, unlike its parent stone, sandstone.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and lack of reaction to acid. It is commonly found in mountain ranges and glacial deposits.

Identified on: 4/22/2026

Mode: Standard