igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic felsic rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6-7 (Mohs scale), colors are salt-and-pepper white and black with pinkish feldspar, phaneritic (large crystal) texture, vitrious to dull luster, density ~2.65-2.75 g/cm3
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 (Mohs scale), colors are salt-and-pepper white and black with pinkish feldspar, phaneritic (large crystal) texture, vitrious to dull luster, density ~2.65-2.75 g/cm3
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). Found in continental crust, often appearing in mountain ranges after uplift and erosion. Ages range from Precambrian to Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Major construction material for countertops, floor tiles, and monuments. Used as crushed stone for road base and railway ballast. High value as a decorative architectural stone.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock found on the continents. It contains radioactive elements like thorium and uranium in trace amounts, which can lead to low level radon emissions in homes with granite bedrock.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/white), feldspar (white/pink), and mica or hornblende (black). It is resistant to weathering and found in large batholiths.
