metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (primarily SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink, or flesh-colored due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6–2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink, or flesh-colored due to iron oxide impurities; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6–2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause the quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. It can range in age from Precambrian to more recent geological eras depending on location.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone in landscaping, crushed stone for road construction, railway ballast, and occasionally for carving or lapidary work due to its hardness and color.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rocks during erosion, frequently forming the peaks of mountains and ridges. It is often confused with marble, but can be distinguished because quartzite will scratch glass while marble will not.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch a steel knife) and its grainy, sandpaper-like texture that has been 'fused' into a solid crystalline mass. It is commonly found in fold mountain belts.
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