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  • Identifying Gabbro: A Coarse-Grained Igneous Rock Without Pyroxene
    You're describing a rock that fits the bill of a gabbro. Here's why:

    * Coarse-grained: Gabbro is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning it cooled slowly underground. This slow cooling allows for larger crystals to form, resulting in a coarse-grained texture.

    * No pyroxene: Gabbro is primarily composed of plagioclase feldspar and calcium-rich clinopyroxene (augite). However, some gabbros can have very low amounts of pyroxene, or even lack it completely.

    Important Note: It's crucial to remember that rock identification requires more than just texture and mineral absence. You'd need to examine the other minerals present to confirm it's truly a gabbro. For instance, a rock with a similar texture but rich in olivine instead of pyroxene could be a peridotite.

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