igneous
Granite Pebble
Phaneritic plutonic rock (dominated by Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled grey, white, and pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Individual minerals vary (feldspar has 2 directions); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Mottled grey, white, and pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Mottled grey, white, and pink; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Individual minerals vary (feldspar has 2 directions); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface. These rocks can be hundreds of millions to billions of years old and are typically found in the continental crust.
Uses & applications
A cornerstone of construction, used for countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as crushed stone for aggregate in road building.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Over time, it is exposed at the surface through erosion and uplift, often forming massive domes like those seen in Yosemite National Park.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. It is extremely common in mountain ranges and glacial deposits (tills) worldwide.
