metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (principally Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-peach; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65
- Hardness
- 7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pink to reddish-peach
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-peach; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to intense heat and pressure (regional metamorphism), causing the quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse into a dense, hard rock. This specimen appears water-worn from a river or beach environment.
Uses & applications
Used as a construction material, crushed stone for road beds, decorative landscaping, and occasionally as a lapidary material for tumbled stones or cabochons.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even high-quality steel. In many cases, the metamorphism is so complete that the rock will break through the original quartz grains rather than around them.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its extreme hardness and granular, sugary texture. It is often found in mountainous regions or as rounded pebbles in glacial till and riverbeds. Look for the absence of visible pore spaces compared to sandstone.
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