igneous
Pink granite (weathered hand specimen)
Felsic intrusive igneous rock; chiefly quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, and biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse-grained, pink-to-gray, speckled texture with interlocking crystals; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, feldspar 6, and overall specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. Typically vitreous quartz luster, feldspar cleavage, and no foliation.
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Physical properties
Coarse-grained, pink-to-gray, speckled texture with interlocking crystals; quartz has Mohs hardness 7, feldspar 6, and overall specific gravity about 2.6–2.7. Typically vitreous quartz luster, feldspar cleavage, and no foliation.
Formation & geological history
Formed when silica-rich magma slowly crystallized deep underground, commonly during Precambrian to Phanerozoic continental mountain-building. Surface weathering has rounded and altered the specimen.
Uses & applications
Widely used as dimension stone, countertops, monuments, aggregate, and decorative rock; attractive polished pieces are collected but usually modestly valuable.
Geological facts
The pink color generally comes from potassium feldspar, while dark flakes are commonly biotite or amphibole. Granite is an intrusive equivalent of rhyolite.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by visible interlocking quartz and feldspar crystals, pink coloration, and lack of layering or foliation; a glassy fracture and scratch resistance help distinguish quartz. Common worldwide, especially in continental shields and mountain belts.
