igneous
Granite Pebble
Granite
Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale depending on mineral composition. Primarily light-colored (white, gray, pink) with dark speckles (black, dark green). Contains interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This specimen is well-rounded and smoothed from water action or tumbling.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale depending on mineral composition. Primarily light-colored (white, gray, pink) with dark speckles (black, dark green). Contains interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This specimen is well-rounded and smoothed from water action or tumbling.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive igneous). The rounded shape is a result of weathering and transport by water, likely found on a beach or riverbed.
Uses & applications
Granite is widely used as a building material, for monuments, countertops, and paving. Rounded granite pebbles like this are often used in landscaping, as decorative stones, or collected for their smooth texture.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a significant portion of the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin word 'granum', meaning grain, referring to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its 'salt and pepper' appearance—a mix of distinct light and dark mineral grains. Found worldwide in areas with exposed continental crust or as water-worn pebbles in rivers and beaches.
