igneous
Granite
Granite (Mainly Quartz, Alkali Feldspar, and Plagioclase)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (pink, gray, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (pink, gray, black)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (pink, gray, black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock found in continental crust and can range in age from Precambrian to Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Construction material for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable rocks on Earth, which is why it has been used for ancient monuments like the Great Pyramid of Giza. It makes up the core of most mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its coarse crystalline texture and visible grains of quartz (glassy) and feldspar (blocky/opaque). It is widely found in continental mountain ranges and old shield areas.
