igneous

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic Igneous Rock)

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (pink, white, grey, black); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Salt and pepper (pink, white, grey, black)
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 6, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (pink, white, grey, black); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granites date back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops (as seen in the background), floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and curbing due to its durability.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its interlocking visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is found in mountain ranges and continental shields worldwide.

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Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous