igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic rock (Quartz, Feldspar, Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grey, white, pink, and black salt-and-pepper look; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grey, white, pink, and black salt-and-pepper look
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Grey, white, pink, and black salt-and-pepper look; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63–2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (plutonic). Found in continental crust, often in the cores of mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large part of the Earth's continental crust. Because it is so hard and durable, it has been used by civilizations for millennia, including the Ancient Egyptians for statues and pyramids.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture where grains are visible to the naked eye. Look for a mix of clear/white quartz, opaque feldspar, and dark biotite or hornblende grains. Common in mountainous regions and glacial deposits.
