igneous
Pink Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock (composition: SiO2 and Al2O3)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with black and grey specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, reddish-pink with black and grey specks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, reddish-pink with black and grey specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). Its pink color comes from a high concentration of Potassium Feldspar. Can range from Precambrian to Cenozoic geological ages.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments (gravestones). High-quality specimens are also used in decorative architectural facades.
Geological facts
Mount Rushmore is carved from a granite batholith. Granite is the defining rock of Earth's continental crust; it is rare to find granite on other planets within our solar system.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance with prominent pink minerals (orthoclase feldspar), clear/grey glass-like quartz, and black flakes (biotite or hornblende). Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas like the Canadian Shield.
