igneous
Granite
Plutonic Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Not apparent in the rock mass; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pinkish-tan, grey, and white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pinkish-tan, grey, and white; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Not apparent in the rock mass; Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of felsic magma beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granites date from the Precambrian era to the Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest natural stones and was used by ancient Egyptians to build pyramids and temples.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found in many mountainous regions worldwide, such as the Yosemite Valley in the USA or Cornwall in the UK.
