metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2) with trace Iron Oxides
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, fleshy peach to light orange; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granular, non-foliated; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, fleshy peach to light orange
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, fleshy peach to light orange; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granular, non-foliated; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone. High heat and pressure Recrystallize quartz grains until they interlock into a very dense rock. It can range from Precambrian to much younger.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone, construction aggregate, railway ballast, and occasionally in lapidary for garden stones or tumble polishing.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts its parent rock during erosion, frequently found as rounded boulders or pebbles in riverbeds. The pink color is usually derived from trace amounts of iron oxides.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its ability to easily scratch glass and its granular, sugary texture. Often found in glacial tilled areas or old mountain ranges. Unlike marble, it will not fizz with acid.
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