igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink and gray to white and black with a speckled appearance; dull to glassy luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink and gray to white and black with a speckled appearance; dull to glassy luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure; specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep beneath the Earth's surface, typically dating from Precambrian to recent geological times.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, monuments, and paving stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct interlocking mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found worldwide in major continental mountain ranges and shields.
