Pink Quartzite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-orange (due to hematite/iron); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Granofelsic; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. Under intense heat and pressure, quartz grains recrystallize and fuse together. Often associated with Proterozoic or Paleozoic geological belts.

Uses & Applications

Used as crushed stone for road construction and railway ballast. High-quality pieces are used for decorative landscaping, kitchen countertops, and occasionally as semi-precious lapidary material.

Geological Facts

Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks; it typically forms the crests of ridges and mountains. It is significantly harder and more durable than the sandstone from which it originated.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its sugary, crystalline texture that breaks across grains rather than around them. Commonly found in the Appalachian Mountains, Lake Superior region, and Brazil.

Identified on: 4/24/2026

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