igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically pink, gray, or white with dark speckles; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- typically pink, gray, or white with dark speckles
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically pink, gray, or white with dark speckles; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, curbing, and monuments due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the continental crust. The word comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found in mountain ranges and continental shields worldwide.
