igneous
Granite
Plutonic Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 6 on Mohs scale; Color: Varies widely (pink, gray, white) with speckled appearance; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica); Specific Gravity: 2.65 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Varies widely (pink, gray, white) with speckled appearance
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 on Mohs scale; Color: Varies widely (pink, gray, white) with speckled appearance; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica); Specific Gravity: 2.65 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma rich in silica and alkali metal oxides, trapped beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, buildings, monuments, paving, and kitchen countertops due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is frequently found forming major mountain cores.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive speckled, interlocking mineral grains (quartz, feldspar, mica). Found globally in continental shields and intrusive plutons.
