igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; colors range from pink and white to gray and black depending on the feldspar and quartz content; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure with visible interlocking crystals; specific gravity of approximately 2.65 to 2.75.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; colors range from pink and white to gray and black depending on the feldspar and quartz content; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure with visible interlocking crystals; specific gravity of approximately 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface, typically over millions of years, often associated with continental crust and mountain-building processes.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for dimensional stone, floor tiles, countertops, gravestones, monuments, and curbing.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is frequently found exposed in tectonic plate boundaries and major mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada and the Alps.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, gray, and black appearance with evenly distributed, interlocking mineral grains. Found worldwide in shield areas and mountainous regions. For collectors, it serves as an excellent introduction to coarse-grained intrusive igneous rocks.
