igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content; dull to sub-vitreous luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content; dull to sub-vitreous luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly found in continental crust.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, monuments, countertops, and decorative stone flooring.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the continental crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its visible interlocking mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Common in mountainous regions and glacial erratics worldwide.
