Pink Granite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with gray and white specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspar grains; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Formation & Geological History

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. The high concentration of potassium feldspar (orthoclase) gives it the pink color. It can range in age from billions of years (Precambrian) to much younger (Cenozoic) orogenies.

Uses & Applications

Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and memorial monuments. High durability and resistance to weathering make it ideal for exterior cladding.

Geological Facts

Famous structures like the base of the Statue of Liberty and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial use granite. The pink color is specifically due to an abundance of alkali feldspar rather than the white plagioclase found in 'salt and pepper' granite.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify in the field by its coarse crystalline texture where individual minerals (Quartz, Feldspar, Mica) are visible to the naked eye. It is commonly found in continental crust and batholiths worldwide.

Identified on: 4/20/2026

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