igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; color varies from pink, white, grey, to tan with dark mineral flecks; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65 to 2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; color varies from pink, white, grey, to tan with dark mineral flecks; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma) beneath the Earth's surface, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, monument building, countertops, flooring, and architectural facades.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock in the Earth's continental crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its interlocking, visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and micas. Found globally in continental shields and intrusive mountain roots.
