igneous
Granite / Diorite
Intrusive Igneous Rock (Granitoid / Diorite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, speckled black and white/green; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, feldspar (plagioclase/orthoclase), amphibole, and biotite mica.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, speckled black and white/green
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, speckled black and white/green; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, feldspar (plagioclase/orthoclase), amphibole, and biotite mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic to intermediate magma deep underground below the Earth's surface (plutonic environments).
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction as crushed stone, dimension stone, building facades, counter tops, and decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Coarse-grained intrusive rocks like granite and diorite make up a significant portion of the Earth's continental crust and form large batholiths.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible, interlocking mineral grains without foliation. Commonly found in mountainous regions, ancient shield areas, and riverbeds draining crystalline rock terrains.
