igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish with flecks of grey and white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Coarse-grained phaneritic; Cleavage: Good in two directions for feldspar components.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, salmon, or reddish with flecks of grey and white
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
Explore Pink Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, salmon, or reddish with flecks of grey and white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Coarse-grained phaneritic; Cleavage: Good in two directions for feldspar components.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock typically found in batholiths and continental crustal shields, often dating back hundreds of millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and as crushed stone for road bases. Also popular in landscaping and decorative masonry.
Geological facts
The pink color is primarily caused by an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). Granite is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, which is why it has been used since ancient Egypt for colossal statues and obelisks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking visible crystals of pink feldspar, clear-to-grey quartz, and dark biotite or hornblende. Commonly found in mountainous regions or glacial till. Useful for students learning to identify igneous textures.
