igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Felsic intrusive igneous rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with gray and white grains; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) holocrystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, reddish-pink with gray and white grains
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with gray and white grains; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) holocrystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface. The pink color is primarily due to a high concentration of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These rocks are often billion-year-old remnants of ancient continental crust.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, monuments, and paving stones. Due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, it is a primary material for architecture and gravestones.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. Iconic landmarks like Yosemite's Half Dome and the Great Pyramid of Giza (interior) feature varieties of granite.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its coarse, interlocking mineral grains (salt-and-pepper look) and extreme hardness; it cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Commonly found in mountainous regions or glacial deposits.
