igneous
Granite
Granite (plutonic intrusive rock rich in quartz and feldspar)
Hardness 6-7 on the Mohs scale, coarse-grained (phaneritic) texture, featuring white to pinkish orthoclase/plagioclase feldspar, translucent quartz, and dark biotite or hornblende crystals. Luster ranges from vitreous to dull.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 on the Mohs scale, coarse-grained (phaneritic) texture, featuring white to pinkish orthoclase/plagioclase feldspar, translucent quartz, and dark biotite or hornblende crystals. Luster ranges from vitreous to dull.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep beneath the Earth's crust (intrusive igneous environment) over millions of years, often exposed via uplift and erosion.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural dimension stone, kitchen countertops, paving blocks, monuments, and crushed stone aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Continental landmasses are often described as granitic in composition compared to the basaltic ocean floors.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible, interlocking mineral grains of quartz (glassy gray) and feldspar (white, cream, or pink). Found globally in continental shield areas and mountainous igneous cores.
