Igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness 6-7, light-colored with dark speckles (biotite/hornblende), medium to coarse-grained, consisting mostly of quartz and feldspar.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 6-7, light-colored with dark speckles (biotite/hornblende), medium to coarse-grained, consisting mostly of quartz and feldspar.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Found worldwide in continental crust.
Uses & applications
Used extensively as a building material, in monuments, and for countertops. Not typically used in jewelry.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common intrusive igneous rock found in the continental crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking granular texture and the presence of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits as rounded cobbles.
