Granite

Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely from pink to gray, white, or black, depending on its mineral composition. Luster: Dull to vitreous (glassy) depending on quartz content. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Cleavage: None overall, though individual minerals like feldspar and mica have distinct cleavage planes. Specific gravity: Around 2.65 to 2.75.

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface over millions of years. It is typically associated with continental crust and mountain-building processes.

Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and landscaping.

Granite makes up a major part of the continental crust of the Earth. Yosemite National Park's famous cliffs, such as El Capitan and Half Dome, are composed largely of massive granite formations.

Can be identified in the field by its interlocking, visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals like biotite mica. Common worldwide in continental shields and mountain roots.