Igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Acidic Plutonic Rock (primarily K-feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled pink to reddish-orange with grey and white specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Cleavage: Indistinct. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled pink to reddish-orange with grey and white specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled pink to reddish-orange with grey and white specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Cleavage: Indistinct. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface in continental crust. This specific appearance is often found in Precambrian or Paleozoic formations where orthoclase feldspar is abundant and oxidized.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction as aggregate, countertops, floor tiles, and dimensional stone for monuments and memorials due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
The pink coloration is caused by high concentrations of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust and is unique to Earth compared to other planets in our solar system.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' texture with visible interlocking grains of pink feldspar and glassy quartz. Common in batholiths and mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada or the Scottish Highlands. Collectors should look for large, well-defined crystals.
