igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black mottled appearance; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, white, gray, and black mottled appearance
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black mottled appearance; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' or multicomponent mineral grains (quartz, feldspar, and mica). It is extremely common in mountain ranges and continental shields.
