igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, gray, black)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that forms deep within the crust over millions of years, often as part of large batholiths.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as aggregate for roads and rail tracks.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is extremely durable and resistant to erosion, which is why it often forms the core of many mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Look for a coarse-grained texture where individual mineral grains (milky quartz, pink/white feldspar, and dark biotite or hornblende) are large enough to see with the naked eye. It is found globally in continental shields.
