igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Light gray, pink, or white with dark mineral specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Light gray, pink, or white with dark mineral specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Light gray, pink, or white with dark mineral specks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, countertops, monuments, and architectural facings.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common intrusive igneous rock in Earth's continental crust and is frequently found in major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its salt-and-pepper appearance with interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found globally in shield areas and mountain cores.
