igneous
Granite
Granite (composed primarily of Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt and pepper (gray, white, black, pink); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Density: 2.63 to 2.75 g/cm3.
- 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) crystalline; Density: 2.63 to 2.75 g/cm3.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock found in continental crust, often dating back hundreds of millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used for construction, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable rocks on Earth, making it a primary component of many famous mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada. It is essentially the 'bedrock' of the continents.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/gray) and feldspar (white/pink). Found frequently in glaciated riverbeds or mountain outcrops. Very common worldwide.
