metamorphic
Pink Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-brown with white quartz veining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (granular microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink to reddish-brown with white quartz veining
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-brown with white quartz veining; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal (granular microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high heat and pressure during regional metamorphism, causing quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. The pink color often indicates traces of iron oxide.
Uses & applications
Landscaping, construction aggregate, and occasionally used as a durable decorative stone or for tumbled jewelry.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often survives as pebbles in riverbeds or beaches long after other surrounding rocks have eroded away. It is often harder than the steel knives used to test it.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by steel) and its crystalline, sugary texture on fresh breaks. It is commonly found in ancient mountain belts and glacial till.
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