igneous
Granite
Granite (felsic intrusive igneous rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (white, pink, gray, speckled with dark minerals). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible interlocking mineral crystals).…
- Hardness
- 6-7 on the Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (white, pink, gray, speckled with dark minerals). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible interlocking mineral crystals). Cleavage: None distinct for the rock as a whole, but individual minerals like feldspar and quartz show cleavage/fracture. Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma rich in silica and alkali metal oxides beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction, countertops, monuments, architectural facings, and decorative stone.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust. The name comes from the Latin granum, a grain, referring to the coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its visible, interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals (like biotite or hornblende). Found globally in continental shields and mountain ranges.
