igneous
Crushed Stone (Likely Granite or Diabase)
Intrusive Igneous Rock (Granitoid/Gabbroid)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible interlocking crystals); Specific gravity: 2.6-3.0
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible interlocking crystals); Specific gravity: 2.6-3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). These rocks typically date from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras, found in continental crust and mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as construction aggregate, road base, driveway gravel, and railroad ballast due to its high compressive strength and durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the continental crust. Diabase (a darker variant often used in crushed stone) is the primary rock of the famous Palisades along the Hudson River.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture and lack of layering (foliation). Commonly found in quarries and used globally in domestic landscaping and urban infrastructure.
