igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically mottled grey, white, pink, or black; Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Alkali feldspar, and Plagioclase feldspar.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- typically mottled grey, white, pink, or black
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically mottled grey, white, pink, or black; Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Alkali feldspar, and Plagioclase feldspar.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates from the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is extremely durable and resistant to weathering compared to other rock types.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where minerals are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. Found worldwide in mountain ranges and continental shields.
