igneous
Pink granite
Coarse-grained felsic intrusive rock; mainly potassium feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, and minor biotite/hornblende
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness about 6–7 Mohs; pink, gray, and black speckled appearance, granular texture, and vitreous to dull luster. Interlocking crystals indicate no cleavage as a whole, though feldspar and quartz have distinct crystal properties.
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Physical properties
Hardness about 6–7 Mohs; pink, gray, and black speckled appearance, granular texture, and vitreous to dull luster. Interlocking crystals indicate no cleavage as a whole, though feldspar and quartz have distinct crystal properties.
Formation & geological history
Formed when silica-rich magma slowly cooled deep within continental crust, allowing large crystals to grow; commonly Precambrian to Phanerozoic in age depending on its source body.
Uses & applications
Widely used as dimension stone, countertops, monuments, paving, aggregate, and decorative landscaping rock; attractive polished pieces are collected but usually have modest value.
Geological facts
The pink color typically comes from potassium feldspar, while dark grains are commonly biotite or amphibole. Its rounded shape and weathered surface suggest natural transport or prolonged weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by visible interlocking pink feldspar, glassy gray quartz, and scattered dark minerals; it is common in continental mountain belts and glacial or stream deposits. A hand lens and hardness test help distinguish it from pink quartzite or rhyolite.
