igneous
Pink Granite with Quartz Vein
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock (K-feldspar + Quartz + Plagioclase + Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Salmon-pink (orthoclase) with translucent gray (quartz) and black flakes (biotite); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Perfect in two directions for feldspar, none for quartz.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Explore Pink Granite with Quartz Vein in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Salmon-pink (orthoclase) with translucent gray (quartz) and black flakes (biotite); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Perfect in two directions for feldspar, none for quartz.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma deep within the Earth's crust. The prominent vein likely formed during late-stage hydrothermal activity where mineral-rich fluids filled fractures in the cooling rock.
Uses & applications
Construction (countertops, monuments), gravel/aggregate, and lapidary use for polished river stones or decorative garden features.
Geological facts
Pink granite gets its distinctive color from potassium-rich orthoclase feldspar. This specimen is a 'well-rounded' river cobble, indicating it has been transported and smoothed by water over a long distance.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'mosaic' texture, pink/orange color, and hardness (it will scratch glass). Commonly found in glacial till, river beds, and mountainous regions like the Canadian Shield or the Appalachians.
