igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-orange, with white, gray, and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Cleavage: Perfect in two directions for feldspar components.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-orange, with white, gray, and black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-orange, with white, gray, and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Cleavage: Perfect in two directions for feldspar components.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). The pink hue is caused by an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These sticks are typically Pre-Cambrian to Paleozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Widely used for dimension stone, countertops, floor tiles, monuments, and as crushed stone for road construction and railroad ballast.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. The pink color specifically indicates a higher concentration of K-feldspar over plagioclase feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance with distinct pink/orange crystals. Can be found in glacial till, riverbeds, and mountainous regions worldwide. Collectors look for large crystal sizes or unique mineral inclusions.
