igneous
Granite
Plutonic Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; white, pink, gray, or black colors; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65 - 2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; white, pink, gray, or black colors; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma containing high amounts of silica and alkali metal oxides deep underground.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction, architectural facades, monument building, countertops, and decorative tiles.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the most abundant intrusive rocks in the Earth's continental crust and forms the core of many mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, and black interlocking mineral crystals (quartz, feldspar, and mica). Found globally in continental shields and mountain roots.
