igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper look with pink/tan, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (grains display individual mineral cleavage); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt-and-pepper look with pink/tan, white, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper look with pink/tan, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (grains display individual mineral cleavage); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of felsic magma beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). They are found in continental crust across all geological ages, often forming the cores of mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction as dimension stone, countertops, flooring, and road base/aggregate. Also used for monuments and decorative carvings.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents. The iconic peaks of Yosemite National Park and the faces of Mount Rushmore are carved into granite formations.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz (glassy gray), feldspar (white/pink), and biotite or hornblende (black). It is a key component of the continental crust.
