igneous
Granite (specifically Pink Granite)
Phaneritic Plutonic Rock (High Potassium Feldspar Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic) consisting of orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende or biotite; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled pink, white, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic) consisting of orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende or biotite; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (intrusive). The large crystal sizes indicate a long cooling period. This specimen likely dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras depending on the specific batholith source.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, and paving stones. Also used in monuments, curbing, and as crushed stone for road base. In collecting, it is a staple for petrology study.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. The pink color is specifically caused by an abundance of Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase). It is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones used by humans since ancient Egypt.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' or multicrystalline appearance where individual mineral grains are visible to the naked eye. Found globally in mountainous regions and continental shields. To identify, look for interlocking crystals and the absence of layering or fossils.
