Granite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale), Color: pink, white, gray, black (due to mineral content), Luster: dull to glassy, Crystal structure: phaneritic (large, visible crystals), Cleavage: none in the rock itself, specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.

Formation & Geological History

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Can be billions of years old. A common intrusive igneous rock found in continental crust.

Uses & Applications

Widely used in construction, flooring, monuments, paving, and kitchen countertops due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Geological Facts

Granite is the most common intrusive rock in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, referring to its coarse-grained structure.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its coarse-grained texture and typical mineral composition (quartz, feldspar, biotite/hornblende). Pervasive worldwide in exposed batholiths and shields.

Identified on: 4/25/2026

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