igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock (K-feldspar rich)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish-orange with white, gray, and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish-orange with white, gray, and black speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface. High potassium feldspar content gives it the characteristic pink color. Most granites date back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction (countertops, floor tiles, monument stone), aggregate for road building, and as ornamental landscaping stone.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. The pinker the rock, the higher the concentration of orthoclase feldspar it contains compared to other minerals like quartz or biotite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking visible crystals (phaneritic texture) and high hardness (will scratch glass). Commonly found in batholiths and mountain ranges like the Rockies or Appalachians.
