igneous
Granite Pebble
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/light gray quartz, pink/white feldspar, black mica); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Uneven fracture.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/light gray quartz, pink/white feldspar, black mica); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Uneven fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. This specific specimen has been smoothed and rounded by water transport in a river or beach environment over thousands of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction (countertops, monuments, paving), as aggregate in concrete, and for landscaping. Tumbled pebbles like this are often used in ornamental garden paths or aquariums.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, which is why it has been used in architecture since ancient Egypt.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. Common in glacial tills, riverbeds, and mountainous regions across the globe.
