igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content. Luster is typically dull to vitreous in individual crystals. Crystal structure is phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity is around 2.65 to 2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. Colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content. Luster is typically dull to vitreous in individual crystals. Crystal structure is phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity is around 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, monuments, and as crushed stone for roadbeds.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a major portion of Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, and black interlocking mineral grains (quartz, feldspar, and biotite mica). Found worldwide in continental shields and mountain ranges.
