Gemdle

Gneiss

graypink

Gneiss, a gray/pink mineral
No machine-readable author provided. Siim assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0
ColourGray, Pink

What is Gneiss?

Gneiss is a common and widely distributed type of metamorphic rock. It is formed by high-temperature and high-pressure metamorphic processes acting on formations composed of igneous or sedimentary rocks. This rock is formed under pressures ranging from 2 to 15 kbar, sometimes even more, and temperatures over 300 °C (572 °F). Gneiss nearly always shows a banded texture characterized by alternating darker and lighter colored bands and without a distinct cleavage.

How to identify Gneiss

Can you spot Gneiss?

Test yourself on photos of Gneiss and lookalikes:

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Gneiss?
Gneiss's hardness varies; see the property table above.
What colour is Gneiss?
Gneiss is typically gray, pink.