igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock (Felsic)
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically composed of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Color ranges from pink to gray depending on its chemistry. Luster is dull to vitreous in individual mineral grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically composed of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Color ranges from pink to gray depending on its chemistry. Luster is dull to vitreous in individual mineral grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, and monuments.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a major part of the continental crust of the Earth.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its visibly crystalline, speckled appearance containing interlocking quartz and feldspar crystals. Found globally in continental shields and mountain ranges.
