igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink to gray; phaneritic texture with visible quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase crystals; dull to vitreous luster.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink to gray; phaneritic texture with visible quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase crystals; dull to vitreous luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly found in continental shields and mountain cores.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, architectural building facades, countertops, and monumental sculpture due to its extreme durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a major part of the Earth's continental crust and is rarely found on any other planet. It is one of the toughest natural stones available.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its speckled, interlocking crystalline matrix of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Widely distributed globally.
