igneous
Granite
Plutonic Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black mottled; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (minerals within have individual cleavage); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, gray, and black mottled
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black mottled; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: None (minerals within have individual cleavage); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a coarse-grained intrusive rock that can date back billions of years, often forming the core of continental tectonic plates.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, flooring, curbing, and monuments. Also used as crushed stone for road base and aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith. It is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones available.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (pink/white), and mica (black/shiny). Common in mountain ranges and glacial deposits.
