metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale pink to salmon; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granitoid/Non-foliated; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Conchoidal to irregular
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- pale pink to salmon
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale pink to salmon; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granitoid/Non-foliated; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Conchoidal to irregular
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz sandstone under high heat and pressure. The pink coloration is typically due to trace amounts of iron oxide or inclusions of rosy minerals.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction as crushed stone, road ballast, and decorative landscaping. High-purity quartzite is used in glass and silicon production.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and even steel. It is more resistant to weathering than the original sandstone from which it formed.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its sugary texture and extreme hardness. Unlike limestone, it will not fizz with acid. It often breaks across the grain of the sand particles rather than around them.
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