igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black, pink). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals). Cleavage: Varies by mineral (perfect for mica, poor for quartz). Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black, pink)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black, pink). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals). Cleavage: Varies by mineral (perfect for mica, poor for quartz). Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). Found in continental crust, often dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction (countertops, flooring, monuments), as crushed stone for road base, and as decorative landscaping stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the primary component of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a massive granite batholith in South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'mosaic' of visible crystals including clear/gray quartz, opaque white/pink feldspar, and dark flakes of biotite or hornblende. Commonly found in mountain ranges or glacial till.
