metamorphic
Pink quartzite
Quartzite, composed predominantly of quartz (SiO₂), with pink coloration likely from iron-oxide impurities
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 7 Mohs; pink to reddish, granular and nonmetallic, with a sugary texture and irregular fracture. Quartz grains are interlocked; cleavage is absent or poor. Specific gravity is typically about 2.6–2.7.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 7 Mohs; pink to reddish, granular and nonmetallic, with a sugary texture and irregular fracture. Quartz grains are interlocked; cleavage is absent or poor. Specific gravity is typically about 2.6–2.7.
Formation & geological history
Forms when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized by heat and pressure, commonly during regional metamorphism; its age depends on the source rock and metamorphic event.
Uses & applications
Used as building and decorative stone, paving and landscaping material, and sometimes as a lapidary or collecting specimen.
Geological facts
Quartzite is generally harder and more resistant to weathering than its sandstone precursor; the specimen’s pink hue can result from trace iron oxides.
Field identification & locations
Look for interlocking quartz grains and a hard surface that resists scratching by a steel knife; quartzite often occurs in metamorphic mountain belts. The image supports a quartz-rich pink rock identification, though exact identification requires testing.
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