igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Phaneritic Acidic Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salmon pink to reddish with black specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Composition: Orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende/biotite.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salmon pink to reddish with black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salmon pink to reddish with black specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Composition: Orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende/biotite.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). This process allows large crystals to grow. Common in continental crust and often dates to Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments. Also popular as a decorative landscaping stone and for gravel production.
Geological facts
The pink color is specifically caused by an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). Granite makes up much of the Earth's continental crust and is one of the most recognizable rocks on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its 'salt and pepper' or mottled appearance with distinct interlocking crystals. Look for the pinkish-orange feldspar grains mixed with glassy quartz and black mafic minerals. Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas.
