metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2 with trace Fe2O3)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (macro-crystalline grains); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink to reddish-pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal (macro-crystalline grains); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed from the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, causing the original quartz grains to recrystallize into a dense interlocking mosaic. The pink hue is typically caused by trace amounts of iron oxide.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as road ballast, decorative stone, flooring, and kitchen countertops; also used as a gemstone in tumbled jewelry and as a refractory material in glassmaking.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so hard and dense that when it breaks, it fractures through the quartz grains rather than along the boundaries between them, unlike its parent rock, sandstone.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and its grainy but sugary appearance. It is commonly found in mountainous regions or ancient shield areas where tectonic activity has occurred.
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