igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs). Color: Speckled gray, white, and pink. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Color
- Speckled gray, white, and pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs). Color: Speckled gray, white, and pink. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive). Found in continental crust, often part of ancient mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, monuments, and as aggregate in infrastructure.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most common rocks in the continental crust. The name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, referring to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of quartz, feldspar, and darker minerals (mica/amphibole). Common in mountain ranges and glacial deposits.
