igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish with grey and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pink to reddish with grey and black speckles
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish with grey and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. The pink color is specifically due to a high abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These intrusive formations can date back hundreds of millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for visible interlocked crystals of pink feldspar, clear-to-grey quartz, and dark minerals like biotite or hornblende. It is commonly found in mountainous regions and continental shields globally.
