igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (medium to coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, gray, black)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (medium to coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep underground (intrusive). They can be hundreds of millions to billions of years old, often found in continental crustal interiors and mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, monuments, and as crushed stone or aggregate for roads.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable substances on Earth, which is why it has been used in ancient Egyptian pyramids and modern skyscrapers alike. It identifies the continental crust.
Field identification & locations
Look for a coarse-grained texture where individual crystals of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (white/pink), and mica (black/shiny) are visible to the naked eye. Found in batholiths and shield areas.
