igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled pink, grey, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals grain); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, and Plagioclase.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs)
- Color
- Mottled pink, grey, and black
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mottled pink, grey, and black; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals grain); Composition: Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, and Plagioclase.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates from the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras and forms the core of continental plates.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found at Earth's surface and makes up a large portion of the continental crust. It is incredibly resistant to erosion.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' or multicrystalline texture. Feldspar provides the pink/white hues, quartz is the translucent grey, and biotite/amphibole provides the black dots. Found globally in mountainous regions.
