igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Speckled salt-and-pepper look with pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Speckled salt-and-pepper look with pink, white, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Speckled salt-and-pepper look with pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras, typically forming in continental crust above subduction zones or in mountain-building regions.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and memorial monuments due to its durability and resistance to weathering.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a massive granite batholith in South Dakota. It contains natural traces of uranium and can emit small amounts of radon gas.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' grains of quartz (clear/gray), feldspar (white/pink), and mica (black/shiny). Found globally in continental shields. For collectors, look for specimens with large crystals or unique color variations.
