igneous

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: salt-and-pepper appearance with gray, white, and black grains; Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: primarily Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica/Amphiboles; Cleavage: none (rock breaks irregularly).

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

Identified April 9, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is an intrusive rock that can form over millions of years at great depths within the crust, often associated with continental crust and mountain-building events.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed aggregate for road base.

Geological facts

Granite is one of the hardest and most durable common rocks. Elements like the Statue of Liberty's pedestal and the Egyptian Pyramids contain granite. It is the signature rock of the continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its interlocking visible grains of different colors (salt and pepper look) and its high hardness (doesn't scratch with steel). It is commonly found in mountain ranges and continental shields globally.

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