metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-brown, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-brown, and white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-brown, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (granular); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6 - 2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure. The pink coloration is typically caused by inclusions of iron oxides (hematite). Found in mountain belts and ancient shield regions.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in landscaping, crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and occasionally for high-end countertops or tiles due to its extreme durability and color.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and chemically resistant that it often forms the jagged peaks of mountain ranges. It is significantly harder than the sandstone from which it originated and will scratch glass easily.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (it cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its grainy, sugary texture that resembles sandstone but fractures across the grains rather than around them. Found globally in Precambrian and Paleozoic formations.
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