igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6 to 7. Color: Salt and pepper, pinkish, or gray with visible crystals. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals). Cleavage: Imperfect/None. Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6 to 7
- Color
- Salt and pepper, pinkish, or gray with visible crystals
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 to 7. Color: Salt and pepper, pinkish, or gray with visible crystals. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals). Cleavage: Imperfect/None. Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Can be hundreds of millions to billions of years old, typically found in continental crust and mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and as crushed stone/aggregate for roads.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest and most durable common substances, which is why it has been used since ancient Egypt for building obelisks and pyramids.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where minerals like quartz (clear), feldspar (white/pink), and mica (black flakes) are easily visible. Widely available worldwide in mountain belts.
