igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Gray, white, pink, or reddish. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) with visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, white, pink, or reddish
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Gray, white, pink, or reddish. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) with visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that can range from several hundred million to over a billion years old, found in the continental crust.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, 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 massive granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of different minerals. It is commonly found in mountainous regions or areas where ancient mountain ranges have eroded away.
