igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (primarily Quartz, Alkali Feldspar, and Plagioclase)

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt-and-pepper (white, gray, pink, and black); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspars, none in quartz; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Salt-and-pepper (white, gray, pink, and black)
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 10, 2026More igneous →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic), typically associated with continental crust formation over millions of years.

Uses & applications

A major construction material used for countertops, floor tiles, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base and concrete aggregate.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is extremely durable and resistant to acid rain, which is why it has been used to build some of the world's most famous structures, like the Great Pyramid of Giza (interior) and Mount Rushmore.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its interlocking 'salt-and-pepper' mineral grains which are large enough to see with the naked eye. It is found in large mountain ranges and old continental shields. For collectors, look for unique colors or large 'pegmatitic' crystals.

Other igneous specimens

See all

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

Magnetite

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)

mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite - Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2

mineral

Blue Apatite

Apatite (Group), Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)

mineral

Magnetite

Magnetite (Fe3O4)

mineral