igneous
Red Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock (rich in Potassium Feldspar)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Red to pinkish tones with black and translucent/white specks; Luster: Dull naturally, vitreous/glassy when polished; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained coarse crystalline); Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar grains, irregular in quartz.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Red to pinkish tones with black and translucent/white specks
- Luster
- Dull naturally, vitreous/glassy when polished
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Red to pinkish tones with black and translucent/white specks; Luster: Dull naturally, vitreous/glassy when polished; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained coarse crystalline); Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar grains, irregular in quartz.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep within the Earth's crust (intrusive). The red color comes from high concentrations of orthoclase feldspar. Geological ages vary widely, commonly found in Precambrian cratons and mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, monuments, and floor tiles due to its durability. Polished spheres like this are used as decorative home decor, metaphysical stones, or collector specimens.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. The red variety is specifically prized for its aesthetic warmth; famous historical structures like the Red Pyramid of Egypt utilize reddish granite variations.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' texture where crystals are large enough to see with the naked eye. Look for the interlocking mosaic of red feldspar, clear quartz, and black hornblende or biotite. Found in massive outcrops globally.
