igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock (rich in Potassium Feldspar)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-orange due to K-feldspar, with gray quartz and dark biotite/hornblende; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Cleavage: Feldspar shows two directions at nearly 90 degrees.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-orange due to K-feldspar, with gray quartz and dark biotite/hornblende; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Cleavage: Feldspar shows two directions at nearly 90 degrees.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). This specimen likely originated from a continental crust intrusion, potentially dating back hundreds of millions of years depending on the specific location of the find.
Uses & applications
Widely used for construction, decorative stone, countertops, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base and railroad ballast. High specimens are popular for landscape design.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock in the Earth's continental crust. The pink color specifically comes from an abundance of orthoclase feldspar. Pikes Peak in Colorado and the granite of the Scottish Highlands are famous locations for pink varieties.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and the presence of interlocking crystals of pink feldspar, translucent quartz, and dark specks of mica or amphibole. It is found in mountain ranges and ancient shield areas globally.
