igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray with black specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pink, white, gray with black specks
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified May 24, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray with black specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Largely composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is a major component of continental crust, often dating back hundreds of millions to billions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road construction and concrete aggregate.

Geological facts

Granite is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, which is why it has been used since ancient Egypt for monuments and pyramids. This specimen features a prominent xenolith or dark mineral cluster, likely hornblende or biotite.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (pink/white), and mica or amphibole (black). Commonly found in mountainous regions or areas where erosion has exposed batholiths.

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