igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, or speckled with dark minerals; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, gray, or speckled with dark minerals
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, or speckled with dark minerals; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly found in continental crusts of various geological ages from Precambrian to Cenozoic
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architecture, countertops, monuments, and decorative stone
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of Earth's continental crust and is frequently used as a benchmark for durability in monuments and buildings
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its interlocking, visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica; found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas; popular with beginner rock collectors
