igneous
Pink Granite (Water-worn pebble)
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, orange-red, grey, and black; Luster: Dull (weathered) to vitreous; Structure: Massive, phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica); Grain size: Coarse.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, orange-red, grey, and black
- Luster
- Dull (weathered) to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, orange-red, grey, and black; Luster: Dull (weathered) to vitreous; Structure: Massive, phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica); Grain size: Coarse.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. This specific specimen is a 'river rock' or 'glacial pebble,' meaning its rounded shape is the result of mechanical erosion by water or ice over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Granite is used extensively in construction (countertops, flooring, monuments) and as crushed stone for road base. This naturally tumbled form is often used in landscaping or as decorative stones.
Geological facts
The pink color in this granite comes from potassium feldspar (orthoclase). Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust and is essentially the 'foundation' of the continents.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' look combined with pink hues and its inability to be scratched by a steel knife. It is extremely common in areas with exposed batholiths or glacial till, such as the Canadian Shield or the Scottish Highlands.
