igneous

Granite

Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pinkish-orange (orthoclase), gray/white (quartz), and black (biotite/hornblende). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained), equigranular. Cleavage: Indistinct on the rock, though individual feldspar crystals show two directions at 90 degrees.

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

Identified May 23, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). The pink hue is due to potassium-rich feldspar. These rocks can be of any age, often associated with ancient continental crust and mountain-building events.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction for countertops, flooring, monuments, curbing, and as crushed stone for road base. Also highly valued as a decorative landscaping stone.

Geological facts

Granite is the most common rock found in the continental crust. Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is one of the world's most famous exposures of granitic rock. It is extremely durable and resistant to weathering.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance with large, visible interlocking crystals. It lacks any layering or foliation. Commonly found in mountainous regions or stable shield areas like the Canadian Shield.

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