igneous

Granite

Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)

Hardness: 6–7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Mottled white, pink, gray, or black. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals). Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly). Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.

Hardness: 6–7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Mottled white, pink, gray, or black
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified March 14, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. This process allows for large mineral crystals to grow. They can date from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras, appearing in continental crust worldwide.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments. Due to its durability, it is a primary material for architecture and infrastructure.

Geological facts

Granite makes up the bulk of the Earth's continental crust. Famous peaks like Yosemite's El Capitan and Mount Rushmore are made entirely of granite. It is the hardest architectural stone used in building.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found commonly in mountainous regions or where ancient shields are exposed. Collect by looking for weathered outcrops or riverbeds.

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