igneous
Pegmatite
Granitic Pegmatite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6-7 on Mohs scale, coarse-grained texture with very large crystals, varied colors including pink, white, and brown, vitreous luster.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Pegmatite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale, coarse-grained texture with very large crystals, varied colors including pink, white, and brown, vitreous luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep within the Earth's crust, enriched in water and rare elements, typically Precambrian in age.
Uses & applications
Source of industrial minerals like feldspar and quartz, and rare-earth elements; also prized by collectors for gemstone-quality crystals.
Geological facts
Pegmatites host some of the largest known individual mineral crystals in the world, sometimes measuring many meters in length.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extremely coarse interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found worldwide in ancient cratons and mountain belts.
