metamorphic
Pink Quartzite Rock
Quartzite (mostly SiO2 with trace Fe2O3)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: pink to reddish-orange due to iron oxides, Luster: dull to vitreous, Texture: crystalline/granular, No cleavage
- Luster
- dull to vitreous, Texture: crystalline/granular, No cleavage
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: pink to reddish-orange due to iron oxides, Luster: dull to vitreous, Texture: crystalline/granular, No cleavage
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure, typically during mountain-building events. This process fuses the sand grains together.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, gravel, flooring, and decorative landscape stone. Hard and durable for architectural purposes.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even high-quality steel. It is more resistant to weathering than the sandstone it originated from.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its sugary texture on broken surfaces and extreme hardness. Often found in glaciated areas as 'erratics' or in ancient mountain roots.
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