igneous
Red Granite Pebble
Intrusive Felsic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: reddish-orange with grey, black, and whitish mineral grains. Luster: dull to vitreous when polished. Texture: phaneritic, medium to coarse-grained. Composed mainly of potassium feldspar (orthoclase), quartz, and biotite or hornblende.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- reddish-orange with grey, black, and whitish mineral grains
- Luster
- dull to vitreous when polished
Identified More igneous →
Explore Red Granite Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: reddish-orange with grey, black, and whitish mineral grains. Luster: dull to vitreous when polished. Texture: phaneritic, medium to coarse-grained. Composed mainly of potassium feldspar (orthoclase), quartz, and biotite or hornblende.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep within the Earth's crust (plutonic environment). It was subsequently eroded and rounded by water action in a river, lake, or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Landscaping, lapidary projects, decorative pebble collections, and small rock tumbling.
Geological facts
Red granite gets its characteristic pink to deep red color from abundant potassium feldspar (orthoclase) tinted by trace amounts of iron oxides inside the crystal lattice.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible mineral grains (interlocking crystals of red feldspar, glassy quartz, and dark mafic minerals) and rounded pebble form. Common in glacial till, riverbeds, and beach shores worldwide.
