igneous

Granite

Granite (Felsic intrusive igneous rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Phaneritic (medium to coarse-grained) texture with a salt-and-pepper appearance (white, pink, and black grains); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Massive/Granular; Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified April 2, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow subterranean cooling of silica-rich magma (plutonic) deep within the Earth's crust. It is a major component of continental crust and can range in age from billions of years (Precambrian) to more recent tectonic events.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments. It is highly valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith, and Yosemite’s El Capitan is a famous granite monolith.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (white/pink), and mica or hornblende (black). It is found globally in mountainous regions where deep-seated igneous rocks have been uplifted and exposed.

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