igneous
Granite Pebble
Granitoid (comprised of Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled orange, tan, and grey; Luster: Dull/earthy (weathered); Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible grains); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Mottled orange, tan, and grey
- Luster
- Dull/earthy (weathered)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled orange, tan, and grey; Luster: Dull/earthy (weathered); Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible grains); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. This specific specimen has been significantly smoothed and rounded by water transport in a river or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in construction (crushed stone), architecture, and landscaping. Small pebbles like this are common as decorative garden mulch or for aquarium drainage.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for a speckled appearance of light and dark minerals and a high hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in glacial till, riverbeds, and mountain ranges.
