igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, and translucent gray with dark green/black flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Uneven fracture, though feldspar exhibits cleavage.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, and translucent gray with dark green/black flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: Uneven fracture, though feldspar exhibits cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. This specimen likely contains potassium feldspar (pink), quartz (translucent/gray), and mafic minerals like biotite or hornblende (dark spots).
Uses & applications
Construction (countertops, tiles), monuments, dimension stone, and as crushed stone for road base and aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite is the primary rock of the Earth's continental crust. Its high quartz content makes it exceptionally resistant to weathering, which is why it is used for outdoor memorials.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking granular texture where individual mineral crystals are visible to the naked eye. Found in large batholiths and mountain ranges worldwide.
