metamorphic
Red Quartzite (Strawberry Quartz)
Quartzite (SiO2 with iron oxide inclusions)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-pink to brownish-red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-pink to brownish-red
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-pink to brownish-red; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. The red hue typically comes from hematite or iron oxide impurities during formation.
Uses & applications
Used as decorative stone in landscaping, jewelry, craft projects, and as an abrasive in industrial applications due to its extreme hardness.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard that it will scratch glass and steel. Red quartzite is often mistaken for jasper or strawberry quartz, but it is technically a rock composed of many interlocked quartz crystals rather than a single mineral crystal.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its grainy texture which resembles sandstone but cannot be scratched by a steel blade. It is commonly found in mountainous regions or glacial till. Collectors value deep, saturated red specimens with translucent patches.
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