igneous
Pink granite
Granite, primarily quartz–alkali feldspar–plagioclase with biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse-grained, pink and gray, with a speckled appearance and dull to vitreous luster; hardness about 6–7 Mohs, massive with no cleavage as a whole, though feldspar and quartz grains have cleavage or fracture. The specimen appears naturally weathered and unpolished.
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Physical properties
Coarse-grained, pink and gray, with a speckled appearance and dull to vitreous luster; hardness about 6–7 Mohs, massive with no cleavage as a whole, though feldspar and quartz grains have cleavage or fracture. The specimen appears naturally weathered and unpolished.
Formation & geological history
An intrusive igneous rock formed when silica-rich magma cooled slowly deep in Earth’s crust, allowing visible crystals to grow. Most granite formed during Precambrian to Phanerozoic continental pluton emplacement, though this individual’s age cannot be determined visually.
Uses & applications
Used extensively for building stone, countertops, monuments, paving, and aggregate; attractive pink varieties are also collected as hand specimens. An ordinary hand-sized piece generally has little commercial value.
Geological facts
The pink color commonly comes from potassium feldspar, while darker flecks are biotite or amphibole and translucent grains are quartz. Granite is the intrusive equivalent of rhyolite, which cools rapidly and is fine-grained.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its interlocking visible crystals, pink feldspar, gray or glassy quartz, and black mica/amphibole; it should feel relatively hard and resist scratching by a steel knife. Common worldwide in continental mountain belts and exposed plutons, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, India, and Scandinavia.
