igneous
Pink Granite (Potassium-rich)
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (K-Feldspar Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish-orange mottled with grey, white, and black; Luster: Dull/earthy when weathered, vitreous when fresh; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Dull/earthy when weathered, vitreous when fresh
Identified More igneous →
Explore Pink Granite (Potassium-rich) 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; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish-orange mottled with grey, white, and black; Luster: Dull/earthy when weathered, vitreous when fresh; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic) within the Earth's crust. This specimen appears to be a water-worn or glacial erratic cobble, likely hundreds of millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as dimension stone, countertops, floor tiles, and as crushed aggregate for road beds. High-quality specimens are popular for landscape gardening and lapidary practice for beginners.
Geological facts
The distinct pink color is caused by an abundance of Orthoclase (Potassium) feldspar. Because granite is so durable, it forms the 'basement' of most continents and is the most common igneous rock found at the Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for interlocking crystals of pink feldspar, translucent grey quartz, and dark specks of mica or hornblende. Commonly found in mountainous regions or inside glacial glacial deposits across North America and Europe.
