igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic felsic rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pinkish tones); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (large visible crystals), Granular; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pinkish tones)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pinkish tones); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (large visible crystals), Granular; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma deep underground. Most granites date back to the Precambrian or Phanerozoic eras, appearing in continental crust within tectonic mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Widely used as dimension stone in architecture, construction (curbstones, floor tiles), crushed stone for road base, kitchen countertops, and monuments/tombstones.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest substances in the world, second only to diamonds. It makes up the core of many continental mountain ranges and is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (white/pink), and mica (black/shiny). It is commonly found in batholiths and mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevadas or the Rockies.
