metamorphic
Pink Marble (Quartzite or Calcite mix)
Metamorphosed Limestone / Quartzite (CaCO3 or SiO2 with iron impurities)
Hardness: 3 (if calcite-dominant) to 7 (if quartz-dominant); Color: Pink to peach with white mottling; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Structure: Granitoid or crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.8.
- Hardness
- 3 (if calcite-dominant) to 7 (if quartz-dominant)
- Color
- Pink to peach with white mottling
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy when polished
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (if calcite-dominant) to 7 (if quartz-dominant); Color: Pink to peach with white mottling; Luster: Vitreous to waxy when polished; Structure: Granitoid or crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of sedimentary rocks like limestone or sandstone. The pink hue is typically caused by trace amounts of iron oxide (hematite) during the recrystallization process under high pressure and temperature.
Uses & applications
Commonly used for decorative carvings, ornamental stones, worry stones, landscaping, and aggregate. Polished versions are popular in the gem and mineral collecting hobby.
Geological facts
Pink variations of marble have been used throughout history in grand architecture, most notably in the Pink Marble of Georgia (USA) used for the Lincoln Memorial's statue pedestal. This specimen appears to be a river-worn or tumbled cobble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its crystalline texture and susceptibility to scratching (if marble) or extreme hardness (if quartzite). Found in areas with mountain-building history such as the Appalachian or Rocky Mountains.
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