igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: speckled pink, white, and grey; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: phaneritic (coarsegrained) granular; Specific gravity: approx. 2.63 - 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- speckled pink, white, and grey
- Luster
- vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: speckled pink, white, and grey; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: phaneritic (coarsegrained) granular; Specific gravity: approx. 2.63 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow subterranean cooling and crystallization of magma rich in silica. This specimen is a water-worn river cobble and could range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Primary use in construction (countertops, tiles, paving), monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found at the Earth's surface and makes up a significant portion of the continental crust. The pink color is generally attributed to potassium feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This rounded shape indicates it was transported and smoothed by water at a river or beach.
