igneous
Granite
Intrusive Felsic Igneous Rock (composed of Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, Plagioclase Feldspar, and Biotite/Amphibole)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-red, white, gray, black mottled; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained intrusive Interlocking crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-red, white, gray, black mottled
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-red, white, gray, black mottled; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained intrusive Interlocking crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep beneath Earth's surface (plutonic environments) under high pressure.
Uses & applications
Extensively used as dimension stone, kitchen countertops, flooring, monuments, paving stones, and crushed stone for aggregate in concrete and asphalt.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore in South Dakota is carved into a granite batholith. The pink hue comes specifically from orthoclase (potassium) feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its coarse-grained texture, visible pink/white feldspar grains interlocked with clear/grey quartz and dark mica specks. Extremely common worldwide in continental crust regions.
