igneous
Granite (Polished Slab)
Granite (Plutonic Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, gray, beige with brown, black, and quartz veins; Luster: Vitreous to pearly when polished; Texture: Phaneritic (medium to coarse-grained interlocked crystals).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly when polished
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Cream, white, gray, beige with brown, black, and quartz veins; Luster: Vitreous to pearly when polished; Texture: Phaneritic (medium to coarse-grained interlocked crystals).
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow, deep underground cooling and crystallization of felsic magma rich in silica, potassium, and sodium over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a dimension stone, building material, decorative countertops, flooring, monuments, and paving stones due to its high durability and scratch resistance.
Geological facts
Granite forms a major part of Earth's continental crust. Polished granite slabs often display intricate graphic textures, pegmatitic mineral patches, and quartz-feldspar intergrowths.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its visible interlocking phaneritic grain texture, quartz content (at least 20%), and abundant alkali feldspar and plagioclase. Highly prized in architectural stone quarries globally (e.g., Brazil, India, USA).
