igneous
Pink Granite
Potassium Feldspar-Rich Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pinkish-red to salmon due to orthoclase feldspar, with specks of grey quartz and black biotite or hornblende. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pinkish-red to salmon due to orthoclase feldspar, with specks of grey quartz and black biotite or hornblende. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of molten magma beneath the Earth's surface. This allows large mineral crystals to grow. Most granites date from the Precambrian era to the Cretaceous.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments. Also a popular specimen for educational Geology collections.
Geological facts
Granite makes up much of the Earth's continental crust. Its pink color is specifically due to a high concentration of Potassium Feldspar, distinguishing it from white or grey granites.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture and lack of layering. Found in continental mountain ranges and shields globally, such as the Colorado Rockies or the Scottish Highlands.
