igneous
Granite (coarse-grained, mica-bearing)
Granite, composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica (biotite and/or muscovite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse, interlocking crystals with pale gray-white feldspar and quartz plus shiny dark mica; hardness about 6–7, vitreous to pearly luster, no prominent cleavage as a whole rock. The image is consistent with granite, though exact mineral proportions cannot be confirmed visually.
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Physical properties
Coarse, interlocking crystals with pale gray-white feldspar and quartz plus shiny dark mica; hardness about 6–7, vitreous to pearly luster, no prominent cleavage as a whole rock. The image is consistent with granite, though exact mineral proportions cannot be confirmed visually.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich magma cools slowly underground, allowing large crystals to grow; granites occur in continental crust and range widely in age, from ancient Precambrian bodies to younger intrusions.
Uses & applications
Widely used as building and dimension stone, countertops, paving, and monuments; attractive specimens are collected and sometimes used decoratively.
Geological facts
Granite is a rock rather than a single mineral, and its visible crystals record slow cooling beneath Earth’s surface.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its speckled, interlocking quartz-feldspar-mica texture; common in continental mountain belts and exposed plutons. This hand-sized rough specimen has modest collector value.
