igneous
Pink granite
Granite; quartz–alkali feldspar–plagioclase rock with biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse-grained, speckled pink, white, gray, and black; vitreous quartz and blocky feldspar grains are interlocked. Hardness is about 6–7 Mohs, with no strong cleavage as a rock and specific gravity around 2.6–2.7.
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Physical properties
Coarse-grained, speckled pink, white, gray, and black; vitreous quartz and blocky feldspar grains are interlocked. Hardness is about 6–7 Mohs, with no strong cleavage as a rock and specific gravity around 2.6–2.7.
Formation & geological history
An intrusive felsic igneous rock formed when silica-rich magma cooled slowly deep underground, allowing large crystals to grow; individual samples may range from Precambrian to Cenozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Widely used for building stone, countertops, monuments, paving, aggregate, and landscaping; attractive polished pieces are collected but generally inexpensive.
Geological facts
The pink color commonly comes from potassium feldspar, while dark flakes are biotite or hornblende and translucent grains are quartz.
Field identification & locations
Common in continental mountain belts and exposed plutons worldwide, including the Sierra Nevada, New England, Scandinavia, and India. Identify it by its visible interlocking quartz, feldspar, and dark mica crystals; unlike rhyolite, it is coarse-grained.
