igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic rock (Quartz, Feldspar, Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pinkish-brown with grey and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pinkish-brown with grey and black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pinkish-brown with grey and black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). These specimens often date back hundreds of millions of years and are exposed by erosion.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in construction (countertops, monuments, paving), aggregate for roads, and as decorative landscaping stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found in Earth's continental crust and is majorly responsible for the structure of mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada.
Field identification & locations
Field identification is based on the visible interlocking crystals of quartz and pink/orange potassium feldspar. Found globally in continental basement rock and glacial till.
