igneous
Pink granite
Granite; chiefly quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, and biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse-grained, speckled pink, white, gray, and black appearance; vitreous quartz and feldspar luster, interlocking crystals, no obvious cleavage as a whole, Mohs hardness about 6–7, specific gravity 2.63–2.75.
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Physical properties
Coarse-grained, speckled pink, white, gray, and black appearance; vitreous quartz and feldspar luster, interlocking crystals, no obvious cleavage as a whole, Mohs hardness about 6–7, specific gravity 2.63–2.75.
Formation & geological history
An intrusive felsic igneous rock formed when silica-rich magma cooled slowly deep underground, allowing large crystals to grow; typically Precambrian to Phanerozoic in age. The rounded shape indicates stream or beach abrasion, or tumbling.
Uses & applications
Widely used for building stone, countertops, monuments, paving, aggregate, and landscaping; polished pieces are popular as decorative and educational specimens.
Geological facts
Pink coloration commonly comes from potassium feldspar, while dark minerals are biotite or amphibole. Granite is the coarse-grained equivalent of rhyolite.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by visible interlocking crystals of pink feldspar, translucent gray quartz, and black mica/amphibole; it is commonly found in continental shields, mountain batholiths, river gravels, and glacial deposits.
