igneous
Feldspar-rich Granite (Pink Granite)
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink, orange, white, and translucent gray; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Coarse-grained phaneritic; Cleavage: Good in two directions (feldspar component)
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pink, orange, white, and translucent gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink, orange, white, and translucent gray; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Coarse-grained phaneritic; Cleavage: Good in two directions (feldspar component)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground, allowing large crystals of orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and mica to grow. This typically occurs in continental crust during mountain-building events.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as dimension stone for countertops, flooring, monuments, and as crushed stone for road construction and railroad ballast.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. The pink color in this specimen is specifically due to an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase).
Field identification & locations
Identify by the interlocking 'jigsaw' texture of visible crystals and the presence of pink/orange feldspar alongside clear/grayish quartz. Common in batholiths and mountain ranges.
