igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Phaneritic Acid Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with gray/white and black specs; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-pink with gray/white and black specs
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with gray/white and black specs; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma below the Earth's surface. The pink color comes from a high concentration of potassium feldspar (orthoclase).
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments. Also used by hobbyists for lapidary work and rock tumbling.
Geological facts
Granite makes up much of the Earth's continental crust. The Yosemite Valley's famous Half Dome and El Capitan are composed of massive granite batholiths.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and the presence of visible pink feldspar, clear/gray quartz, and dark mica. Commonly found in riverbeds or glacial tills in continental regions.
