igneous
Granite
Granite (Mainly Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Phaneritic texture with pink, white, and black grains; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.65–2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Phaneritic texture with pink, white, and black grains
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Phaneritic texture with pink, white, and black grains; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.65–2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive igneous). It can date from the Archean Eon to the Cenozoic era, primarily found in continental crust.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, 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 granite batholith in South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking coarse grains of quartz (glassy), feldspar (opaque/colored), and mica (shiny flakes). Found in mountainous regions and exposed shields.
