igneous
Granite (White Granite variant)
Phaneritic Plutonic Rock (High-silica Felsic)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: White, grey, black, and sometimes pink. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar components. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White, grey, black, and sometimes pink
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite (White Granite variant) 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: White, grey, black, and sometimes pink. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar components. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Geological age varies from Pre-Cambrian to Cenozoic depending on the specific batholith. Found in continental crust mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Major use in construction (curbstones, floor tiles), kitchen countertops, dimension stone for monuments, and aggregate for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable substances on Earth, which is why it has been used since Ancient Egypt for building pyramids and statues. It makes up a significant portion of the Earth's continental crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Brazil, India, and China. Collectors look for unique mineral inclusions like tourmaline or garnet.
