igneous
Pink Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Pink to reddish-orange from potassium feldspar, mixed with gray quartz and dark mica; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals)
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Pink to reddish-orange from potassium feldspar, mixed with gray quartz and dark mica; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals)
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic formation), typically in continental crust during mountain-building events. Ages can span from billions of years (Precambrian) to more recent eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone or aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. The pink color specifically indicates a high concentration of orthoclase feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and speckled appearance. It is found in mountain ranges and ancient shield areas like the Canadian Shield or the Scottish Highlands.
