igneous
Granite
Granite (Mainly SiO2 and Al2O3)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Commonly found in continental crust and mountain ranges dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock found in the Earth's continental crust. It is so hard that it was used in ancient Egypt to build the sarcophagus inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/grey), feldspar (white/pink), and mica (black). It is found in large mountain massifs globally.
