igneous
Pink Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock (high K-feldspar content)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink to reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink to reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink to reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (plutonic). The pink hue comes from an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). Found in continental crust ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic ages.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, monuments, and as crushed decorative aggregate in landscaping.
Geological facts
The pink color is specifically due to the orthoclase feldspar. Famous monuments like the sarcophagus in the Great Pyramid of Giza and the base of the Statue of Liberty are made of various types of granite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking visible crystals. Look for the distinct salmon-pink color mixed with translucent quartz and dark biotite or hornblende flakes. Common in mountain ranges and Canadian Shield areas.
