igneous
Pink granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock; chiefly quartz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, and dark biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse, visibly crystalline texture with pink feldspar, gray-white quartz, and black-green mafic minerals; Mohs hardness about 6–7, generally nonfoliated, with vitreous quartz and dull feldspar luster. The specimen appears weathered and naturally rounded.
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Physical properties
Coarse, visibly crystalline texture with pink feldspar, gray-white quartz, and black-green mafic minerals; Mohs hardness about 6–7, generally nonfoliated, with vitreous quartz and dull feldspar luster. The specimen appears weathered and naturally rounded.
Formation & geological history
Formed by slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep in the crust, commonly during Precambrian to Phanerozoic continental plutonism; surface rounding likely resulted from erosion and transport.
Uses & applications
Used as dimension stone, countertops, monuments, paving, crushed aggregate, and landscaping rock; attractive hand specimens have modest collector value.
Geological facts
Pink coloration usually comes from potassium feldspar, while dark minerals indicate biotite or hornblende. Granite commonly develops large interlocking crystals because of its slow underground cooling.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its granular interlocking crystals and mixed pink, white/gray, and black coloration; unlike gneiss, it lacks consistent banding or foliation. Common worldwide, especially in continental shields and mountain belts.
