igneous

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Gray, white, or pinkish with visible crystalline grains. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Granular/Phaneritic. Cleavage: Indistinct on the rock as a whole.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Gray, white, or pinkish with visible crystalline grains
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 29, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. It is a major component of continental crust and can date back billions of years depending on the pluton.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.

Geological facts

Granite is one of the hardest and most common rocks on Earth. The name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, referring to its coarse-grained structure.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Commonly found in mountainous regions or where ancient continental crust is exposed. Look for the 'salt and pepper' appearance.

Other igneous specimens

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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