igneous
Granite
Granite (Plutonic Igneous Rock)
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, colors vary from pink to gray and white with dark 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, colors vary from pink to gray and white with dark 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 magma rich in silica and alkali metal oxides beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, architectural facings, and monuments.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found in Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals like biotite mica. Common globally in continental shields and mountain roots.
