igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Plutonic Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, orange, and white with dark flecks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Massive, phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystals; Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase), and minor Plagioclase and Biotite.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, orange, and white with dark flecks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, orange, and white with dark flecks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Massive, phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystals; Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase), and minor Plagioclase and Biotite.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma beneath Earth's surface. High silica content causes the felsic mineral composition. These rocks can date back billions of years to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction (curbstones, floor tiles), monuments, kitchen countertops, and as crushed stone for road bases.
Geological facts
The pink color is primarily due to the abundance of potassium feldspar. Granite makes up much of the Earth's continental crust and is the signature rock of mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its coarse-grained interlocking crystals and pink orthoclase. Found in batholiths and continental shield areas globally. Collectors look for unique large-crystal varieties or pegmatites.
