igneous

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic Quartz-Feldspar Rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, gray, white, and black speckled appearance; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pink, gray, white, and black speckled appearance
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 23, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow subterranean cooling and crystallization of magma. Common in continental crust and mountain ranges, often dating back hundreds of millions to billions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as a dimension stone for buildings.

Geological facts

Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's surface. It makes up much of the continental crust and is famously seen in formations like Yosemite's Half Dome.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where minerals are large enough to see with the naked eye. Look for quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (pink/white), and biotite or hornblende (black).

Other igneous specimens

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Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous