igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Igneous Rock (primarily Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, gray, and pink with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Imperfect; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- White, gray, and pink with dark flecks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: White, gray, and pink with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Imperfect; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow subterranean cooling and crystallization of magma. Common in continental crust and mountain ranges, dating from the Archean Eon to the Cenozoic Era.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction (countertops, floor tiles, paving stones), monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents. It earns its name from the Latin word 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and extreme hardness (it will scratch glass). Found in mountain cores and batholiths worldwide.
