igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled grey, white, and black with tan/pinkish patches; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Mottled grey, white, and black with tan/pinkish patches
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled grey, white, and black with tan/pinkish patches; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). The age of granite formations can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years, often found in the cores of mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and as crushed stone for road base. It is also a popular specimen for educational geology kits.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest natural stones, making it extremely resistant to weathering and erosion over long periods.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. Common in mountain regions, stream beds, and glacial deposits. Look for shiny mica flakes and hard quartz grains that cannot be scratched by a steel nail.
