igneous
Granite
Felsic Plutonic Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper/mottled grey, white, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt and pepper/mottled grey, white, and black
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper/mottled grey, white, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface in batholiths and plutons. It is a major component of the continental crust, with some formations dating back billions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as a structural building stone due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up much of the foundation of Earth's continents. The word comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture (not layered), visible speckles of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals like mica. Found globally in mountainous regions and glacial deposits.
