igneous
Granite Pebble
Granite (plutonic felsic intrusive rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: reddish-orange, tan, quartz grey, with specks of black biolite/amphibole; Luster: dull to glassy when wet; Texture: coarse-grained phaneritic pebble, rounded by erosion; Specific Gravity: ~2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- dull to glassy when wet
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: reddish-orange, tan, quartz grey, with specks of black biolite/amphibole; Luster: dull to glassy when wet; Texture: coarse-grained phaneritic pebble, rounded by erosion; Specific Gravity: ~2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive igneous). Subsequently eroded, smoothed, and transported by water into a stream or beach pebble.
Uses & applications
Granite is widely used as crushed stone in construction, building dimension stone, countertops, and decorative landscape rock.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of Earth's continental crust. The reddish-pink tone in granite comes from orthoclase alkali feldspar, while dark specks are typically biotite mica or hornblende.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its multicolored speckled appearance containing visible quartz grains, feldspar, and dark minerals. Found abundantly in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and mountain streams worldwide.
