igneous

Granite (specifically Red Granite)

Phaneritic Plutonic Rock (High in Alkali Feldspar and Quartz)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, reddish-brown, and white with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspar grains; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Mottled pink, reddish-brown, and white with dark flecks
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 20, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep within the Earth's crust (intrusive). The pink/red color is due to the presence of potassium-rich orthoclase feldspar. These formations range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old.

Uses & applications

Primary use in construction as dimension stone, countertops, floor tiles, and aggregate for roads. Occasional use in jewelry as 'rough' beads or tumbling specimens.

Geological facts

Granite is the hallmark of the continental crust. The red/pink variation is often associated with famous formations like the Aswan quarries in Egypt (used for obelisks) or the Pikes Peak granite in Colorado.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. It is ubiquitous in mountainous regions and shield areas like Canada or Scandinavia. For collectors, look for high-feldspar content which yields a deeper red hue.

Other igneous specimens

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Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous

Magnetite

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)

mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite - Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2

mineral

Blue Apatite

Apatite (Group), Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)

mineral

Magnetite

Magnetite (Fe3O4)

mineral