igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Phaneritic Acidic Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, salmon, grey, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Perfect on feldspar grains; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, salmon, grey, and black
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, salmon, grey, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Perfect on feldspar grains; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). The pink color comes from abundant potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These formations can date back billions of years to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and as a decorative stone in landscaping. High-quality specimens are popular for mineral collecting.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. The pink hue specifically indicates a high concentration of alkali feldspar rather than plagioclase.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture and the presence of visible pink orthoclase, glassy quartz, and dark biotite or hornblende. Commonly found in batholiths and mountain ranges like the Rockies or the Scottish Highlands.
