igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-brown, grey, and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Composition: Orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende/biotite.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, reddish-brown, grey, and black speckles
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-brown, grey, and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Composition: Orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende/biotite.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep within the Earth's crust (plutonic formation). The pink color is primarily due to the high concentration of potassium-rich orthoclase feldspar.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, monuments, curbing, and as crushed stone for road aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock found in the Earth's continental crust. Examples of granite include the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the faces of Mount Rushmore.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and the presence of pink feldspar crystals. Commonly found in mountainous regions and igneous batholiths.
