igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Phaneritic igneous rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pink, reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic). Cleavage: None (fractures).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pink, reddish-orange with grey/white and black specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic). Cleavage: None (fractures).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. High in potassium feldspar (orthoclase), which gives it the pinkish hue. Typical ages range from Precambrian to Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, countertops, monuments, landscape decorative stone, and as aggregate. Highly valued for durability and aesthetics.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith. The pink color is specifically due to an abundance of potassium feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and pinkish base. Found in mountainous regions or riverbeds where erosion has exposed the intrusive rock.
