igneous
Granite River Pebble
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Speckled tan, olive-gold, and grey; Luster: Dull/Sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (visible interlocking crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Speckled tan, olive-gold, and grey
- Luster
- Dull/Sub-vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Speckled tan, olive-gold, and grey; Luster: Dull/Sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (visible interlocking crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It has been shaped and smoothed into a pebble over thousands of years by the mechanical erosion of water in a river or coastal environment.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as decorative garden stones, 'worry stones', or engraved gift items (such as the 'Love' inscription seen here). In larger forms, it is a primary construction material for countertops and monuments.
Geological facts
This specific stone has been polished and engraved with the word 'LOVE' in gold-colored paint. Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by the salt-and-pepper speckled appearance and the presence of visible mica, quartz, and feldspar crystals. This smooth, rounded shape is a result of fluvial transport.
