igneous

Granite

Granite (phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, and black). Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible coarse grains). Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly). Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, and black)
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified May 23, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma below the Earth's surface. Found in continental crust within mountain belts and batholiths. Ages range from Pre-Cambrian to Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, monuments, and curbing due to its durability and resistance to weathering.

Geological facts

Granite is the most common rock found on the Earth's continental crust and is unique to Earth among the planets in our solar system. The base of the Great Pyramid of Giza is partially lined with granite blocks.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of light (quartz/feldspar) and dark (biotite/amphibole) minerals. Commonly found in mountainous regions or quarries. Very hard; cannot be easily scratched by a steel knife.

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