igneous
Granite
Granite (Silica-rich Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Spotted grey, white, and black. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: None (fractures). SG: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Spotted grey, white, and black
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Spotted grey, white, and black. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: None (fractures). SG: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Primarily composed of quartz and feldspar with minor micas and amphiboles. Often dating from several hundred million to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest substances in the world, second only to diamonds among natural stones.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and absence of layering. Found globally in mountain ranges and continental shields.
