igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: White, gray, pink, or red with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- White, gray, pink, or red with dark flecks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: White, gray, pink, or red with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that makes up much of the continental crust, often dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's surface and is often known as the 'foundation of the continents.' The name comes from the Latin 'granum,' meaning a grain.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is found in large mountain ranges and batholiths worldwide.
