igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, and black mottled appearance; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (large, visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspar grains.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pink, white, and black mottled appearance
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 24, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras, typically forming in continental arcs or during mountain-building events.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a 'salt and pepper' appearance with crystals that are large enough to see with the naked eye. Commonly found in mountainous regions or shield areas like the Canadian Shield. For collectors, look for unique mineral inclusions or large pegmatite 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