igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic intrusive felsic igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-orange with grey and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase), and Plagioclase.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, reddish-orange with grey and black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-orange with grey and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase), and Plagioclase.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface. The distinct pink color is caused by an abundance of potassium feldspar. Formation can date back billions of years to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, monuments, flooring, and decorative stones in landscaping due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith. The pink varieties are particularly prized for architectural aesthetics.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of pink feldspar and translucent quartz. It is extremely common in continental plates and mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada or the Scottish Highlands.
