If imagine whatever it is, it's sharp and very hard. Id love to know what it is and id also love to find a labelled Rosy red in the wild, for purely scientific purposes of course. The pink/purple ones I've had that were very fast and friable I've broken half and they've been relinquished for grinding/ slurries, but the harder of the two are still going strong and in frequent use. They generally go where I go, someone always needs something sharpened(I should charge them).This is a scope image of just about my favourite Washita. You can't see these tiny neon pink specks with the eye, and pretty much all Washitas have a few, but on this stone they're everywhere.
God knows what it is. But I imagine it's probably what gives Rosy Reds their colour. My stone certainly has patches that are somewhat orange coloured.
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