igneous
Granite
Granite (composed primarily of Quartz, Plagioclase, Alkali Feldspar, and Biotite/Amphibole)
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper (white, gray, black, and pale tan); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained intrusive crystalline structure); Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar grains, absent in quartz.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt-and-pepper (white, gray, black, and pale tan)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper (white, gray, black, and pale tan); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained intrusive crystalline structure); Cleavage: Perfect in feldspar grains, absent in quartz.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep beneath the Earth's crust (plutonic environments) over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural dimension stone, kitchen countertops, paving stones, monuments, and crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore and the famous rock formations of Yosemite, such as El Capitan, are carved from massive granite batholiths.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its distinct interlocking 'salt and pepper' coarse-grained texture where individual crystals of quartz, feldspar, and dark mica/amphibole are clearly visible to the naked eye. Found abundantly worldwide in continental shield areas and mountain ranges.
