igneous
Pink Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled pink, grey, and black. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Imperfect. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled pink, grey, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled pink, grey, and black. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Imperfect. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). The pink color indicates a high concentration of potassium feldspar (orthoclase). These rocks can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, and curbing. Also used for monuments, gravestones, and as decorative gravel or landscaping stone.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. The pink hue is specifically due to the presence of k-feldspar; without it, the rock would appear grey or white. It is one of the hardest and most durable natural building materials.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance with visible interlocking crystals of pink feldspar, clear/grey quartz, and dark mica or hornblende. Commonly found in mountainous regions or glacial till.
