igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Typically grey, white, pink, or red with dark specks; Luster: Phaneritic (crystalline); Crystal structure: Coarse-grained granular; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Typically grey, white, pink, or red with dark specks
- Luster
- Phaneritic (crystalline)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Typically grey, white, pink, or red with dark specks; Luster: Phaneritic (crystalline); Crystal structure: Coarse-grained granular; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granite dates to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras. It forms in batholiths and continental crust via plate tectonic convergence.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and as aggregate for roads. It is valued for its durability and aesthetic variety in architecture.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore in the USA is carved into a granite batholith. It is one of the hardest and most common rocks on the planet.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is found in mountain ranges globally, such as the Sierra Nevada (USA) or the Scottish Highlands. Collectors look for unique mineral inclusions like tourmaline or large feldspar phenocrysts.
