igneous

Granite

Phaneritic plutonic rock (SiO2 typically >69%)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, white, and grey; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Mottled pink, white, and grey
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 19, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). The pink color comes from potassium feldspar, while the grey/clear parts are quartz. Usually associated with continental crust and mountain-building events.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, and gravel. It is also a popular material for curbing, monument carving, and as decorative landscaping stone.

Geological facts

Granite is the most common igneous rock found at the Earth's surface and makes up a significant portion of the continental crust. It is extremely durable and resistant to weather, which is why ancient Egyptian monuments made from it still stand today.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible, interlocking crystals to the naked eye. It is found in abundance in mountain ranges and shields. Collectors look for samples with large, well-defined crystals.

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

Magnetite

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)

mineral

Blue Apatite

Apatite (Group), Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)

mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite - Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2

mineral

Magnetite

Magnetite (Fe3O4)

mineral