igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Phaneritic Quartz-Feldspar intrusive rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-white with translucent gray and black flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, Plagioclase, and Mica.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, reddish-white with translucent gray and black flecks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, reddish-white with translucent gray and black flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, Plagioclase, and Mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. The pink color is caused by an abundance of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These intrusive bodies (plutons) can be hundreds of millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments. It is also a popular specimen for educational rock kits.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. The 'pink' variety is specifically high in K-feldspar, which distinguishes it from white or gray granite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by the interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and the presence of visible pink feldspar and clear/gray quartz. Common in continental shields and mountain ranges like the Rockies or Appalachians.
