igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/light gray with dark inclusions); Luster: Dull/granular until polished; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly).
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white/light gray with dark inclusions)
- Luster
- Dull/granular until polished
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/light gray with dark inclusions); Luster: Dull/granular until polished; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Found in large batholiths often dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and memorial monuments due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest natural substances in the world, second only to diamonds and some other minerals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking mineral grains (quartz, feldspar, and mica). Found in mountainous regions or as river pebbles transported from these areas.
